Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms 3 Regulars Will Miss AC Milan Clash

Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways when we take on AC Milan in the first leg of our Europa League last-16 clash at the San Siro on Thursday night.

Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference in Italy this evening and he’s provided the latest team news update ahead of the game.

The under-fire manager confirmed a huge injury blow with the news that Hector Bellerin has been left back in north London nursing a knee injury.

Bellerin was rested for the defeat at Brighton last weekend but developed an injury in training earlier this week and scans on Wednesday showed he had inflammation in his left knee.

The right-back tried to take part in training this morning but couldn’t complete the session so Wenger has taken the decision to leave Bellerin at home to recover.

We have problems on the opposite side of defence as although Nacho Monreal returned to light training today, he isn’t ready to return after missing the last two games with a back injury.

Finally, Alexandre Lacazette has also been ruled out of the Milan game as he’s still working his way back to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery last month.

Wenger is quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“He’s [Bellerin] injured. He has an inflammation of his left knee. He had a scan yesterday which showed inflammation. He tried but couldn’t absorb the training session so we left him at home.”

“Lacazette is not ready. We had to leave Monreal behind as well because he’s not ready. He started a little session today but he’s not ready.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t travelled to Milan as he’s ineligible to play so Danny Welbeck is set for a recall up front while Aaron Ramsey should come back in to the midfield after being rested last weekend.

The only other change should see David Ospina replace Petr Cech in goal as the Colombian international has been our cup keeper throughout the season.