Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Injury Blow Ahead Of Man City Clash

Arsenal head to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon looking for a win that would secure third spot in the Premier League table.

Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com the latest team news ahead of the game and unfortunately the boss has confirmed a major injury blow with Per Mertesacker ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The centre-back had recently won his place back from Gabriel and helped guide Arsenal to three consecutive clean sheets against West Brom, Sunderland and Norwich City in recent weeks.

However, Mertesacker limped out of the 1-0 win over the Canaries last weekend after suffering a hamstring injury early in the second half and Wenger has now confirmed the problem will keep the German out for the rest of the campaign.

Otherwise, we have no fresh injury concerns to deal with so Arsenal have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from against City this weekend.

Wenger told the clubs website:

From the squad that played against Norwich last Saturday, we have lost Per Mertesacker. Per is out for the remaining two matches with a hamstring injury. Everyone else from last week’s squad is fit and available for selection.

It’s a big blow to lose Mertesacker as the defence has looked far more solid with him back alongside Laurent Koscielny and his injury means he’ll miss Sunday’s trip to the Etihad as well as the final game of the season against Aston Villa next weekend.

Thankfully Gabriel is on hand to step in during the final two games of the season, while Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping to force their way back in to Wenger’s plans after recovering from injury.

Arsenal head to Manchester looking to cement their position in the top three which would secure automatic qualification to the Champions League next season.