Arsenal Boss Confirms Injured Trio Will Miss Next 3 Games

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Petr Cech, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere are ‘progressing nicely’ in their recoveries from injury but won’t feature in any Arsenal game before the international break.

Cech missed last weekend’s North London Derby at Tottenham Hotspur and Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay win at Hull City after suffering a calf injury during our hugely disappointing loss at home to Swansea City last week.

The Czech international aggravated the problem while running back to his own goal having been up for a late corner and was subsequently ruled out for at least three weeks.

Cazorla hasn’t featured in the first team since suffering knee ligament damage during our draw at Norwich City in November and was ruled out for at least three months following surgery.

The situation has been even more dire for Wilshere as he’s endured yet another injury plagued campaign and he’s yet to make a single appearance having undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula which he suffered in pre-season.

Both Cazorla and Wilshere have been back in light training this month and are expected to step up their rehabilitation over the coming weeks with a view to making their returns in early April.

Wenger has now given Arsenal.com an update on their fitness and while he says the trio are all ‘progressing nicely’, none will be available either this weekend against Watford or for our games with Barcelona or Everton next week.

on Cech, Wilshere, Cazorla…
They are all progressing nicely, but this week and next week they have no chance.

I think there’s a strong possibility that Cech will be available when we host Watford at the Emirates after the international break but we’ll have to wait and see how Cazorla and Wilshere progress this month before their comeback dates are decided.

I’m sure the clubs medical team won’t want to rush them back but as long as they’re able to return to full training without issue over the next couple of weeks, then we should see the midfield duo back in contention in early April.

There return can’t come soon enough as Aaron Ramsey is facing a spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury which leaves Wenger having to rely on Mohamed Elneny and Francis Coquelin as his midfield pairing over the coming games.