Arsenal have a host of injuries ahead of their key clash with West Ham United. The game couldn’t have come at a worst time just 72 hours after our Wembley win and there are a number of players struggling for fitness with muscles strains and fatigue related issues.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey are facing a race to be fit with tight muscles, same goes for Nacho Monreal who came off with a dead leg against Wigan. There is the potential for some good news however with Laurent Koscielny and Tomas Rosicky potentially fit for the upcoming tie against the Hammers.
Wenger confirmed that some players face late fitness tests. He told Arsenal’s official website:
I cannot give you complete team news because many of them have to be checked today. We have plenty of uncertainties for muscular problems and fatigue. Who could be available who was not in the squad on Saturday? Maybe Rosicky and Koscielny – we’ll have to test him definitely today. There are plenty of uncertainties so I have to make up my mind late on.
[on the main uncertainties] The main uncertainties are Monreal who had to come off with a dead leg. Podolski had a little [muscle] problem but I think he will be alright. Then there is Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey (both muscle tightness). They are the main problems.
[on Koscielny’s possible return] Koscielny will be tested today and I have to decide after training if I take the risk or not to start him tomorrow.
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[on Jack Wilshere] Jack should start to jog this week. It is all going well, but we have to monitor him now day by day. I think the next three weeks will be very important for him.
It doesn’t look good at all. All we can hope is that Arsenal turn up and get the three points against Big Sam and his team of giants.
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