Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin have joined Arsenal’s absentee list ahead of their Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb this evening.
The Gunners announced via their official Twitter account that the Welsh midfielder and Spanish full-back would both be rested for the trip to Croatia.
Mathieu Debuchy or Calum Chambers will replace Bellerin in defence, while Mathieu Flamini is in contention for a midfield spot with Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere also sidelined.
Arsenal.com confirmed this week that England international Wilshere is expected to miss a further three months of action as he requires surgery on a hairline fracture of his left leg.
The 23-year-old has not yet featured in the Premier League this season, and this latest injury setback will be tough for him to take after his promising summer performances for England.
His last Arsenal appearance came in their final game of the 2014/15 campaign, in which he scored this rocket of a half-volley in a 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
Per Mertesacker, who has missed Arsenal’s last two games through illness, has also been left behind after being involved in a car crash near the club’s training ground on Tuesday, the Metro reports.
Arsene Wenger is expected to name the strongest XI available from those who have travelled after insisting that he still has an “immense drive” to win the Champions League [BBC Sport].
The Gunners – 2006 finalists – are the most successful team in the history of the competition never to lift the trophy, qualifying from the group stage more times than any other non-winner (16).
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