Arsenal injury news: Santi Cazorla out for the season

Arsenal injury news: Welbeck knee fears and Ozil 'can't walk'

09 May

Arsenal's season may be as good as over, but their bad luck with injuries continues. However, this time it could be the England team that suffers most, if Danny Welbeck joins Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the treatment room this summer.

Welbeck, who missed most of this season with an injury to his left knee, hobbled off in the first half of Sunday's game against Manchester City after a knock to his right knee.

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The striker had attempted to tackle Bacary Sagna and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger "expressed concerns about Welbeck's meniscus after he tried to play on only to immediately signal to the bench that he couldn't", reports The Guardian.

Scan results are not expected to be known until later this week. With England boss Roy Hodgson due to name his squad for Euro 2016 on Thursday, Welbeck will be hoping the damage is minimal.

"A long and ill-timed absence would be a desperate blow to Welbeck, who had only returned from a ten-month lay off following surgery in his other knee in February," adds the Guardian. "With five goals and two assists since his comeback, he was in encouraging form."

Welbeck's misfortune did benefit Jack Wilshere, who came off the bench to boost his England credentials and survived 70 minutes of the match in only his second appearance this season. However, he wished Welbeck a speedy recovery after the game and said England "needed" him to be fit this summer.

The Gunners are also faced with further injury worry from Mesut Ozil, who missed the City match with a hip problem. Wenger told Sky Sports the player "was unable to walk properly", reports website Turkish Football.

Ozil is expected to be out for a matter of days, although his chances of setting a new Premier League assist record now look slim as he has managed just two since the turn of the year, after contributing 16 in the first half of the season.

Arsenal injury news: End of the road for Oxlade-Chamberlain

06 May

Has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played his final game for Arsenal? The England winger, who was hoping for a return to action in the final week of the season, has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury and will now miss Euro 2016.

The 22-year-old was injured during Arsenal's Champions League match against Barcelona on 23 February, but had been expected to turn out for the under-21 side this week alongside fellow midfielders Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky.

But he did not appear and now manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will be out for another six to eight weeks and has "no chance" of playing for his country this summer. "It is very sad," added Wenger.

There have been rumours that Oxlade-Chamberlain may be surplus to requirements at the Emirates and has been tipped to leave this summer, in which case he will not be seen in an Arsenal shirt again. He arrived at the Gunners from Southampton in 2011, but has been hampered by injuries and a lack of opportunities and has made only 100 league appearances in five seasons.

Defender Per Mertesacker, suffering from a hamstring injury, has also been ruled out of Arsenal's remaining league games this season, including Sunday's crunch clash with Manchester City, which could secure Champions League football next season.

There is better news on two other Arsenal crocks, however. Cazorla was an unused substitute against Norwich last weekend and emerged unscathed from the under-21s game this week, while Jack Wilshere was also on the bench against Norwich, having made his comeback a week earlier in the final minutes of the draw with Sunderland.

"With the Euros in mind, Wenger has still to decide how much action to give to Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, who are both fit again after long term injuries," says The Guardian.

Arsenal injury news: Jack Wilshere still not ready, Ox hopes fade

21 April

Having tasted defeat against West Brom once this week returning Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will not get the opportunity to face the Baggies again after Arsene Wenger ruled him out of the Gunners' Premier League match on Thursday night.

Spanish ace Santi Cazorla will also have to wait longer to make his Arsenal comeback after five months out, despite returning to full training this week.

Neither player will picked for the game against West Brom, even though Wilshere played 90 minutes for the Under-21s against the same opponents on Monday.

Wenger dismissed reports that the midfielder suffered yet another injury setback in the game on Monday night and said he would be available for the weekend match against Sunderland.

Wilshere played the full 90 minutes on Monday and scored a second-half goal for the Gunners but also needed treatment for a knock on the knee.

"He has had no setbacks and the positives are that in every game he was sharper," said Wenger. "Jack will be fit for England. The European Championship starts on June 10 and until then is nearly two months. If you look at his fitness at the moment, in two months he should be perfectly fit.”

Cazorla also remains on the sidelines after his comeback from a knee injury was delayed when he picked up an Achilles problem.

He is now back in training after five months out and told the club website he was "dying to play again". Wenger hinted that he could draft the Spaniard straight back into the first team squad, which could point to a comeback next week.

"Arsenal have sorely missed the Spanish international playmaker, crashing out of the Champions League in the last 16 for a sixth successive season and failing to defend their FA Cup title," says the Daily Mail.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's hopes of a comeback this season do not look so rosy after Wenger confirmed that he was the only member of the squad not currently in training.

The winger damaged his knee in February and was expected to miss seven weeks. But almost two months after the injury he remains sidelined and his hopes of making England's squad for Euro 2016 "look to be slipping away", says website London 24.

Arsenal injury news: Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere return to action

8 April

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey could be back in the Arsenal team for the game against West Ham on Saturday, while Jack Wilshere's return from injury continues, with his manager unconcerned by his latest exploits on the social scene.

Ramsey, who has been suffering from a thigh injury, came through a training session this week and is back in contention for a berth in the Gunners' side.

"The midfielder limped off 16 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Hull in Arsenal's FA Cup win at the start of last month," reports the Daily Mail.

"There were fears a lengthy injury could make him a doubt for Chris Coleman's Wales squad to play at the European Championship in France this summer. But the player trained well at Arsenal's London Colney base on Wednesday and Wenger is now considering using him against West Ham in their lunchtime kick off."

Although Wilshere is not yet ready for the first team, he is back in the headlines after he was questioned by police after a nightclub fracas last weekend. This weekend will see him turn out for the Under-21 team on Friday night, in what will be his first game of the season.

The midfielder has been out of action with a broken leg but is hoping to break into the Arsenal team soon and win a place with England at Euro 2016.

Wenger insisted the nightclub incident would not affect Wilshere's comeback and described it as "a minor story". The player was "serious about his life", he said, and denied he had been drinking.

"Jack is not a drinker," Wenger said.

Saturday's team will also see goalkeeper Petr Cech don the gloves for the first time since the defeat to Swansea in early March.

He resumed training last week but was not risked against Watford and had to make do with a place on the bench.

However, he is expected to be named ahead of David Ospina for the must-win clash at Upton Park on Saturday lunchtime, says the London Evening Standard.

Arsenal injury update: Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech to return

31 March

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is close to a first team return but will not feature against Watford at the weekend.

It has been another frustrating period on the sidelines for Wilshere, who has missed the entire season with a fracture of the fibula. "The injury was initially expected to keep the England man out for just a month, but subsequent scans revealed the need for surgery, which he underwent in September," reports Sky Sports.

Since then, the midfielder has struggled to get back to full fitness but now seems to be ready to resume his stop-start career. Although he will not play this week, Wilshere could be back in action for the Arsenal under-21 team next week.

He could be joined by Tomas Rosicky, who is also back in full training after he picked up a thigh injury in his first game back from a previous injury lay-off in January.

There is even better news on goalkeeper Petr Cech, who is in contention for a start against Watford. Arsene Wenger appeared coy on the stopper's chances this week but Cech has declared himself fit - a boost for the manager, who also had concerns over deputy keeper David Ospina after he suffered an injury scare while on international duty for Colombia.

Both players are likely to be available for Watford, says the Daily Express.

Wenger will also be pleased to hear that Cech is considering international retirement after Euro 2016, when he will be 34. He "is considering hanging up his international gloves in order to focus all his attentions on bringing success to the north London club", reports Metro.

The Arsenal boss has also delivered an update on the side's other missing stars: Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini could be available for West Ham next weekend, while Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be back in training within a month.

Arsenal injury news: fears over Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil

22 March

Arsenal fans will spend the international break fretting over the fitness of two of their key players after Danny Welbeck missed England's first training session of the break following his efforts against Everton at the weekend, and Mesut Ozil reported for duty with Germany despite an ankle knock.

England striker Welbeck has made an impact for the Gunners since returning from a knee injury that kept him out for ten months and even though he was not rushed back into the team, it seems he is still struggling.

"I had many hesitations to play him before the [Everton] game because he is still not completely over his knee problem," Wenger told the official club website after Welbeck scored at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Such is Arsenal's concern over their striker that they have insisted that he follows a personalised training programme while on international duty, reports the Evening Standard.

He did not take part in England's first training session of the current get together, says the paper, and although the Gunners are keen for him to fulfil his international ambitions they are also desperate "to ensure their first-choice striker is available for the final months of the season".

There were also concerns for Ozil at the weekend when he limped off in the closing stages at Goodison, but Arsenal later calmed fears by revealing the damage was minor. However, most Gunners expected the player to rest over the international break rather than risk further damage by playing for Germany.

But, says Metro, the midfielder has scotched those hopes by telling German media: "My participation in the two games is not at risk."

He now seems likely to turn out against England on Saturday, where he could find himself up against club team-mate Welbeck.

Arsenal injury news: Ozil update, Cech and Ramsey close

20 March

Arsenal returned to winning ways on Saturday as they beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison, although the victory was marred by fears over key midfielder Mesut Ozil, who limped off with 15 minutes remaining of the match after picking up an ankle injury.

But for once, the Gunners have have been lucky. Although the German is likely to miss next week's international games, he is expected to be fit for the game against Watford on 2 April.

"It's an ankle problem but it looks more a kick than a ligament problem," said manager Arsene Wenger.

There was more good news concerning goalkeeper David Ospina, who needed treatment after a kick in the back from Romelu Lukaku. Wenger said that although the player might need a few days to recover, he, too, should be fit again after the international break.

Ospina may be on the bench for the Watford game as Arsenal are hoping to welcome back some key figures next month, with Petr Cech expected to reclaim the number one jersey.

Aaron Ramsey has an "outside chance" of returning for the Watford game and Mathieu Flamini could also be back by then says website Physio Room.

However, the Gunners will have to wait until later in the month to welcome back Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain.

Arsenal injury news: Updates on Welbeck, Wilshere and Ox

17 March

The season is realistically over for Arsenal, which means news of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere's injuries is of little consequence except for England fans hoping they will be fit for Euro 2016.

And that may explain why it fell to Roy Hodgson to provide the latest update on the midfielders, reports the London Evening Standard.

Speaking as he unveiled his latest squad, the England manager said he had been in contact with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger over the pair and that Wilshere could return any day.

"Arsene informs me that Jack [Wilshere] is making very, very good progress and hopefully will be back in the near future," he said.

Wilshere has not played for the Gunners since last season's FA Cup final, but could return after the international break.

Hodgson then delivered an update on Oxlade-Chamberlain, who damaged his knee against Barcelona two weeks ago. "Everyone said this is going to be a six-eight week injury," he said. "There is no reason that is not going to be the case. If that is the case, he should be back in April and will still have a chance of impressing us with his fitness."

In the meantime, Arsenal have more fresh injury concerns after Mathieu Flamini limped out of the Barcelona game in the first half.

The manger announced the player was injured after the game but refused to elaborate.

"Wenger also confirmed that he brought Danny Welbeck off in the second half merely as a precaution as the striker finds his way back to full fitness after a lay-off with a knee injury," reports the Sport Review.

Arsenal injury news: Koscielny fit but seven out for Barcelona

16 March

Laurent Koscielny and Mikel Arteta are both in line for Arsenal returns against Barcelona at the Camp Nou tonight, but the Gunners must embark on mission impossible without seven of its stars.

Koscielny's return from a calf injury picked up in last month's game against Manchester United was confirmed by manager Arsene Wenger on Tuesday. The defender will walk back into the starting XI – but the return of Arteta could prove rather more controversial.

The ageing midfielder has come in for criticism from fans and playing him could cause more unrest. However, he has been training with the first team, reports Metro, "and can expect to take a place on the side's bench".

Arteta is likely to take the place of defender Calum Chambers, who is "set to be out for a few weeks" after picking up an injury against Watford, reports website London24.

Among the other walking wounded is goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was injured against Swansea. He will also miss the trip to Everton this week but could be back in April. "The 33-year-old is expected to return to training soon after the international break," reports the London Evening Standard.

Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere are also expected to return early next month, but Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be out for longer.

Arsenal injury news: Koscielny fit for Barcelona but no Cech

15 March

Arsenal's slim hopes of a miracle against Barcelona on Wednesday have been lifted by the news that defender Laurent Koscielny has been passed fit.

A calf strain has seen the centre-back miss three weeks of action. His last game was the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United and since then, the Gunners have taken one point from two league matches and been knocked out of the FA Cup.

They will need to show far better form at the Camp Nou if they are to have any chance of overturning the 2-0 first leg deficit.

"Gooners are understandably worried that they could be embarrassed by Luis Enrique's side during the second leg and, given the performance of Gabriel Paulista against Watford on Sunday, it will be a huge boost to have Koscielny back," says Metro.

Also in contention for an Arsenal recall is Mikel Arteta, who is finally back to fitness after six weeks out with an ankle injury. He has not played for the Gunners since the FA Cup tie with Burnley in January.

The 33-year-old midfielder began his career at Barcelona and is "desperate" for a return there, says the Daily Star. Whether he gets a chance at the Camp Nou remains to be seen, as he was left out of the squad for the Watford clash on Sunday.

However, the game in Spain will come too soon for keeper Petr Cech, who is not expected back until early next month, while long-term absentees Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla will also be missing until April, along with Aaron Ramsey.