Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Duo Will Miss Man City But Key Men Available

Arsenal will look to get their season back on track when they entertain Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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

The Gunners boss has confirmed that Petr Cech will miss the City game this weekend after suffering a calf injury during the 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion before the international break.

Cech will also sit out the game with West Ham on Wednesday night but could return for the trip to Crystal Palace next weekend so David Ospina is set to deputise for the next couple of games.

Wenger also revealed that Lucas Perez is still not fit enough to make his return to the squad after missing the trip to the Hawthorns earlier this month with a thigh problem.

However, Alexis Sanchez is expected to be available for selection this weekend after overcoming the ankle injury which forced him off during the second half against West Brom.

There were fears Sanchez may have suffered ligament damage but scans showed it was just bruising so the attacker was given the all-clear to play in both of Chile’s World Cup qualifiers over the past week.

Wenger also confirmed that Mesut Ozil is in contention to start his first Arsenal game in over six weeks after recovering from hamstring and back injuries that have hampered him in recent weeks.

Ozil hasn’t started since the first leg of our Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich with illness also restricting his game-time but he played 20 minutes for Germany last Sunday and could now start for Arsenal against City this weekend.

Arsene is quoted as saying by Football London:

On who will not feature against City
We have lost Petr Cech at West Brom, he will not be fit for Sunday. Of course there is no Cazorla, Perez is not fit, he has a thigh problem – that should basically be it.

On Cech
He could miss Sunday and West Ham on Wednesday, maybe he is available after.

On Alexis
We got a message from him. It was a kick against West Brom – we didn’t know if it was ligament, but when the swelling went down it was just a kick so he could play normally.

On whether Ozil is in contention
He is yes. He played 20 minutes for Germany and he came back focused. He has worked very hard this week.

Arsenal head in to the weekend action sitting sixth in the table after losing four of the last five games so it’s vital we get back on track with a positive result against third-placed City.