Wenger’s Pre-Chelsea Injury Update On Ramsey, Ox-Chamberlain, Giroud & Welbeck

Arsenal need a win to keep alive any faint hopes of winning the Premier League title when they take on leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

After coming close to having a fully-fit squad to choose from earlier this week, Wenger now has some fresh injury worries to contend with and has given a fitness update on four of his key players this morning.

Unfortunately for the Gunners it looks like Aaron Ramsey is facing another spell on the sidelines as Wenger has confirmed that the midfielder has been ruled out for three weeks with a calf strain.

Ramsey was forced off early in the first half during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at home to Watford on Tuesday night and is now set to miss the next four games against Chelsea, Hull, Bayern Munich and Sutton United.

The Welsh international’s absence leaves Arsenal short of options in midfield but thankfully Wenger is confident Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be passed fit despite picking up a minor knee problem in midweek.

The Ox came on to replace Ramsey against Watford and finished the game limping but it looks as though the 23-year-old will recover in time to face Chelsea and is set to partner Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park.

Olivier Giroud will also face a late fitness test after being forced off at half-time on Tuesday night having suffered an ankle injury against Watford but again Wenger is confident the striker will be okay.

Wenger is quoted as saying by the Express:

“We have lost Ramsey, he will be out for 21 days. Giroud has a test though he should be alright. Oxlade-Chamberlain should be alright. Maybe Welbeck will come back into the group.”

Even if the French international is ruled out against Chelsea, Danny Welbeck is set to return to the Arsenal squad after being rested against Watford having only recently returned from a serious knee injury.

Welbeck made his first start of the season last weekend and looked sharp after scoring a brace during the 5-0 win over Southampton so his availability will come as a big boost to Arsenal as they head to Stamford Bridge in desperate need of a win to keep alive their hopes of winning the title.