Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Double Boost But Attacker Ruled Out

Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from their opening weekend disappointment when they take on Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. 

Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com a team news and injury update ahead of the game and has offered the latest on a number of his first team squad.

Let’s start with the good news and Wenger revealed that Hector Bellerin is back in contention after recovering from a minor knock that saw him miss Sunday’s 2-0 loss to West Ham.

In a double boost the boss also revealed that Alexis Sanchez is fit and available after continuing to work on his fitness following his late return to training this summer.

Sanchez only started his pre-season training last Wednesday following his extended post-Copa America break but could now be pushing for a start after working hard on his fitness this week.

However, Wenger also confirmed that while Danny Welbeck is making ‘good progress’ on his recovery from a knee injury that has been plaguing him since April, the attacker is still going to be short for Sunday’s trip to Selhurst Park.

Welbeck will therefore join Jack Wilshere on the sidelines as the midfielder continues to recover from his latest ankle injury, which is set to keep him out until next month, while Thomas Rosicky is also facing an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

Here is what the boss told Arsenal.com:

on the team news…

Hector Bellerin is back and is available for Sunday. Danny Welbeck is making good progress, but is still not available.

on Jack Wilshere…

We said Jack would be out for four weeks, and he’s in the second week now so he’s on schedule.

on Tomas Rosicky…

Tomas has had surgery on his knee. His agent said he will be out for one or two months, but it will be longer. How long exactly, we don’t know yet.

on Alexis…

Alexis Sanchez is fit, he’s been working hard and is ready for the weekend.

It’s good to hear Bellerin will be available again and I think we may see him come straight back in to replace Mathieu Debuchy at right-back against Palace.

It’s going to be interesting to see if Sanchez plays from the start on Sunday or is used from the bench again but I just hope the boss doesn’t rush him back too soon.

The news about Rosicky is a blow and it sound like he could be out for a while but Welbeck should be back in contention to face Liverpool on the 24th.

Let’s hope we can bounce back immediately on Sunday as we desperately need to get three points on the board after the West Ham debacle.