Arsenal
Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Huge Injury Boost + Giroud Update
Arsene Wenger has confirmed a huge injury boost ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Basel while he also gave an update on Olivier Giroud’s fitness.
Arsenal will look to build on our Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain when we take on Basel at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given Arsenal.com a team news and injury update.
The boss was pleased to confirm a huge injury boost with the news that Francis Coquelin’s injury isn’t as bad as first feared and he should only be out for around three weeks.
Coquelin was forced off with what initially looked to be a serious knee injury during our 3-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday night and it looked like the Frenchman was facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
However, Wenger has revealed that scan results show the problem is not that serious and while Coquelin will be out for around three weeks, it’s still an excellent outcome.
The boss also gave an update on Olivier Giroud’s situation as the striker continues to nurse a niggling toe injury which he suffered during the cameo appearance against PSG two weeks ago.
The French international is suspended for tomorrow’s clash with Basel after being sent off against PSG but he’d have missed the game anyway due to his injury and is also considered a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Burnley.
Wenger told the clubs website:
on Coquelin’s injury…
He is out for the game tomorrow, but it should be a short-term injury because the scan was quite positive and I think it will be three weeks out.
on how he feels about the news…
It’s positive because last year during this period we got some bad news and a few long-term injuries and it was a handicap in our season. After you play always the same players and you lose a little bit of your edge physically. The fact is we have a compact squad, but of top quality, so to keep everybody together is a big plus.
on Giroud’s injury…
He is not available, he is suspended because he was sent off at PSG. He is a doubt for Sunday, we will see.
on if he will go on international duty…
I don’t know, it depends on the evolution of his injury.
BACK ARSENAL TO BEAT BASEL AT CRAZY ODDS OF 4/1
With Coquelin out, Granit Xhaka is set to come in to the midfield against Basel tomorrow night while Alexis Sanchez could continue to lead the line up front in Giroud’s absence.
