Both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta will miss Arsenal’s FA Cup semi-final with Reading this weekend but there’s more positive news regarding Jack Wilshere, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
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Mikel Arteta has been out of action since the Gunners 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, and looks to have had a slight set-back in his comeback from ankle surgery.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be out for around two more weeks, the 21-year-old is yet to recover from a hamstring injury picked up at the beginning of March.
TEAM NEWS: Only @m8arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain unavailable. @Arsenal have a “big squad” to choose from #RFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/IEJVXuLMYr
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
Jack Wilshere meanwhile looks set to return to the first-team for the first time since Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in November, according to London Evening Standard’s James Olley.
Wenger: “I play my tenth semi-final on Saturday so that means we know how to prepare.” Also says Wilshere fit to play on Saturday. — James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 16, 2015
The 23-year-old has stepped up his rehab from ankle ligament damage in recent weeks with appearances for the Gunners U-21s.
His last run-out against, ironically, Reading earlier this week for the youth team seems to have convinced Arsene Wenger he’s now ready to play in the starting XI once again.
Arsene Wenger also confirmed Wojciech Szczesny would retain his place as the Gunners cup keeper as he has in all of Arsenal’s previous rounds in the competition.
Wenger on @13Szczesny13: “He will play on Saturday. He had a very good performance at Manchester United.” #RFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/JRBvuyCMHr
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
Despite the absences, Arsene Wenger was particularly bullish on the ability of his squad to cope with the strains of a footballing season.
“We have a massive squad of 24 players at the moment and there are also players on loan. It’s important to get the right dimension,” he said in his press conference, via the Arsenal Official Twitter account.
Boss: “We have a massive squad of 24 players at the moment and there are also players on loan. It’s important to get the right dimension.” — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
“We know each other better now and have a better balance in our team between attacking and defending.
Wenger: “We know each other better now and have a better balance in our team between attacking and defending.” #RFCvAFC
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
“All the players have top, top quality which makes it very difficult for me to pick my best team. They all deserve to play.”
Boss: “All the players have top, top quality which makes it very difficult for me to pick my best team. They all deserve to play.” #RFCvAFC — Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
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