Team News: Gibbs available, Wilshere out & Walcott update

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Jack Wilshere is out for Wednesday night’s Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund, however Kieran Gibbs has passed as fit after pulling short on Saturday against Liverpool with a suspected groin injury.

Wilshere rolled his ankle last week and missed the weekend’s fixture at Emirates but could be in line to play against Manchester United on Sunday should he respond well to a test on Thursday.

Elswhere Serge Gnabry returns to the squad after missing the past two matches with an ankle knock sustained against Palace, adding some much needed width to the Gunners. Mathieu Flamini appears to be on track for facing United while Theo Walcott should return to action after the international break (begins next week) which is huge news.

Arsene Wenger revealed the following team news at his pre-match press conference:

[on Jack Wilshere] As you know he has not travelled because he has not practised. I will know more on Thursday when he has another test. If that is not a success he will definitely be out for Sunday, if he is out for Sunday he will be out for England as well.
[on other team news] Gnabry has travelled and is in the squad. Walcott is not far, he should be back soon after the break and Flamini has a good chance to be available on Sunday. Gibbs has travelled and should be available. Eisfield, he was with us this morning in training.

The injury news is overall very positive for the Gunners. Wilshere was always not going to travel but to have Gibbs back is a big boost. Whether or not he will start may be a different matter however with Monreal waiting in the wings for his opportunity, especially if there is a slight possibility of the Englishman aggravating his injury sustained on the weekend he may not be risked with United beckoning on Sunday.