Arsenal Handed Quadruple Injury Boost Ahead Of Chelsea Showdown

Arsenal have been handed some positive injury news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea with four key players expected to be passed fit, according to the Evening Standard.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to resume full training after missing the last three matches with a hamstring injury that he picked up against Southampton earlier this month.

Arsene Wenger told reporters last week that the midfielder had an 80% chance of being fit to face Chelsea and the Evening Standard claim the Gunners remain confident Oxlade-Chamberlain will be available as he’s set to return to full training this week.

The news will come as a major boost to Wenger as the the 23-year-old had been excelling in the right wing-back role before picking up his injury so he’ll now battle-it-out with Hector Bellerin for a starting spot at Wembley.

In a further boost to the Gunners, the newspaper says that Alexis Sanchez is also expected to be fit despite limping out on Sunday’s win over Everton with a suspected hamstring injury.

Sanchez was substituted in the 68th minute and was seen with strapping on his thigh during the lap of honour following the 3-1 win but the Evening Standard say that Arsenal are confident the Chilean international will be fit on Saturday.

The north Londoners were facing an injury crisis at the back as Shkodran Mustafi was reportedly a doubt after missing the Everton game due to illness.

The German international was showing signs of concussion after being kicked in the head against the Black Cats last week but the report says he’s expected to be passed fit to return this weekend.

The news will be a huge relief to Wenger as he’s already without Laurent Koscielny following his sending off on Sunday while Gabriel is also set to miss out after suffering suspected knee ligament damage against the Toffees.

Mustafi’s availability means Wenger will be able to stick with the recently adopted 3-4-2-1 formation with the former Valencia man likely to start alongside Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal at the back.

Monreal had been performing well on the left side of the back three in recent weeks but was moved back to the left wing-back role against Everton on Sunday as Kieran Gibbs was ruled out with a minor thigh injury.

However, Monreal is free to move back in to the defence against Chelsea as the Evening Standard claim Gibbs is set to return this weekend having recovered from his knock.