Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Trio Could Return + Update On Sanchez & Cazorla

Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Sunderland at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon and Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com a team news update ahead of the game.

The boss confirmed that three key players could all return to the squad this weekend with Laurent Koscielny, Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs possibly in contention.

Koscielny was forced off during the opening stages of last weeks 1-1 draw at Norwich after suffering a hip injury early in the first half and there were fears the defender could be facing a spell on the sidelines.

However, it appears those concerns were wide of the mark as the Frenchman is back in training and Wenger has revealed that he’ll make a late decision over his involvement against Sunderland this weekend.

Walcott on the other hand hasn’t played since mid-October when he picked up a calf injury during our Capital One Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday but he’s now back in first team training and could also make his return to the squad on Saturday.

In a triple boost, the boss also confirmed that Gibbs is back in contention after missing the trip to Carrow Road with a minor calf injury so we’ll have another valuable option to choose from against the Black Cats.

However, Wenger wasn’t able to give us any firm indication as to when Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla or Mikel Arteta will be available again. Sanchez was forced off against Norwich with a hamstring injury and reports suggest the Chilean is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines.

Cazorla also picked up a knee problem last time out and newspaper reports claim he’s going to be out for at least three months but the boss has refused to confirm or deny these stories.

He told the clubs website:

on the team news…

We will make a decision on Saturday on Koscielny and Walcott, they could both make the squad. Gibbs is available again for the weekend.

on Alexis, Cazorla and Arteta…

At the moment on Alexis, Santi and Mikel, we don’t know how long they will be out for.

It will be a big boost if Koscielny and Theo are passed fit but I personally wouldn’t start either this weekend. Gabriel can deputise alongside Mertesacker against Sunderland so let’s not take a chance with Kos, while I’d ease Walcott back in to action with a late cameo.