Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Huge Triple Injury Boost

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed a huge triple injury boost with the news that Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Petr Cech are all back in full training.

Wilshere has failed to make a single appearance this season after undergoing surgery on a fractured fibula which he sustained in pre-season training at the start of August.

However, after a lengthy rehabilitation programme which saw the midfielder suffer a number of setbacks, the 24-year-old has finally been given the green light to resume full first team training.

Wenger says the initial signs are ‘quite good’ but played down reports that Wilshere will feature for the under-21’s against Newcastle next Friday, with the boss insisting he’ll make a decision next week over how best to proceed with the midfielders comeback.

Wilshere has been joined back in full training by Rosicky as the Czech international looks to overcome a thigh injury which he sustained while making his first appearance of the season against Burnley last month following six months on the sidelines with a knee problem.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, many thought Rosicky had played his last game for the club but it looks as though he could still play some part in our run-in as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks.

In a triple boost, Arsene also revealed that Cech is back in full training after overcoming a calf injury which he picked up during our defeat to Swansea a month ago – although the boss will make a late decision over whether his number one will be available this weekend.

Speaking to Arsenal.com ahead of Saturday’s clash with Watford, Wenger said:

on the latest team news…
Wilshere and Rosicky are back in full training. Basically they are all progressing well.

on whether Jack Wilshere will play for the under-21s…
Not yet, no, we have not decided that yet. It is his first week back in full training and we’ll see how he responds to that, but the first signs are quite good. We’ll assess our options next week.

on Petr Cech…
Cech is going back to normal training. It’s too early to say if he will be available for the weekend. He might be a bit short to be competitive.

While it’s a huge boost to have Wilshere and Rosicky back in full training, they’re still going to need a few weeks to regain match fitness so I don’t expect them to be in contention for a place in the squad until the end of April.