The Arsenal injury update given by Arsene Wenger today was pretty depressing for Arsenal fans to hear. It looked like the Gunners were going to have to do without almost a full and decent starting XI players, with Danny Welbeck, Yaya Sanogo and Theo Walcott apparently unlikely to return along with out other crocks Arteta, Szczesny, Ospina, Gnabry, Diaby, Debuchy, Ozil and Wilshere.
I am not trying to suggest that our wily old manager is trying to pull a fast one here and surprise tomorrow’s opponents when the teams are announced, but a quick look at the pictures on Arsenal.com of the Gunners training after the manager’s press conference will show Welbeck, Sanogo and Walcott going through the exercises with their team mates.
Theo’s problem was an inflammation of the groin that he brought back from the international break and Wenger said he was not going to be available for tomorrow or midweek because of it. If he was still feeling that, surely he would not be training and so we can hope to see him back on the pitch soon, although his fitness will most likely mean he is still not ready to start.
But Welbeck and Sanogo probably could, as both of our strikers trained with the group as well. Welbeck was carrying a knee and hamstring problem and Sanogo also hurt his hamstring against Dortmund, so they must both have been passed fit or they would not have trained.
With Wenger already missing a host of Gunners, this is great news and gives Arsenal a much better chance of beating West Brom.