Arsenal Team News: Arsene Wenger Confirms Triple Injury Boost

Arsenal entertain West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon and Arsene Wenger has given reporters a team news update this morning.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the boss confirmed a triple injury boost with Mathieu Flamini available again while Gabriel Paulista and Mikel Arteta are closing in on their comebacks.

Flamini has been out since picking up a hamstring injury against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup almost a month ago but he returned to full training last week and Wenger has confirmed that he’s now fit and available for selection.

Gabriel also suffered a hamstring problem during our 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers earlier this month and he was initially expected to be out for at least three weeks.

However, it looks as though the Brazilian is on course to return sooner than expected as the boss has revealed the centre-back will resume training on Sunday. I doubt he’ll be in contention to face Monaco on Tuesday but Gabriel should be available for next weekend’s trip to Newcastle.

The third boost comes with the news that Arteta is back in full training today. The Spaniard hasn’t featured since picking up an ankle injury against Borussia Dortmund way back in November. Arsene has confirmed the skipper is now stepping up his return but warned he’s still around three weeks away from being in contention for a first team place.

It will be great to have Arteta available again as we’ve missed his experience in the middle of the park at times, but I think he may find it difficult to regain his first team place as Francis Coquelin has been outstanding in the holding role since returning to the club in December.

More team news: "Flamini is available and Gabriel will return to training on Sunday." #AFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/2uiQ6bqBxV

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 13, 2015

Wenger on @m8arteta: "He's back in full training today. I think he'll return in three weeks." #AFCvWHU pic.twitter.com/zwCVFGDPlR

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 13, 2015