Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Injury Blow, Key Men Rested + Wilshere Update

Arsenal will play their first Europa League game in 17 years when we welcome Bundesliga outfit Cologne to the Emirates on Thursday night.

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

The boss has confirmed a fresh injury blow with the news that Francis Coquelin has been ruled out for three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Bournemouth at the weekend.

There was an open training session conducted in from of the media at London Colney this morning and the Evening Standard claim that seven first team regulars weren’t involved.

Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka, Petr Cech and Danny Welbeck all sat out training today suggesting they’ll be rested ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.

Wenger was quizzed about whether he’ll make wholesale changes against Cologne tomorrow night but the boss refused to divulge his team selection after only confirming that Ramsey and Ozil will be ‘rested completely’.

Nonetheless, Wenger is expected to field a weakened side against the German’s which could open the door for Jack Wilshere to make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt in over a year.

The boss was asked about Wilshere’s possible involvement against Cologne and he admitted that it’s a good opportunity for the midfielder to get some vital game-time under his belt.

"Ozil and Ramsey rested completely. Coquelin is out for three weeks." #AFC

— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) September 13, 2017

Wenger won't reveal whether Wilshere will start, but says "every game is an opportunity for him."

— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) September 13, 2017

With a number of first team regulars set to be rested, it means the likes of Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, David Ospina, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny are expected to feature.

Alexis Sanchez is also set to return to the starting eleven after being a substitute against Bournemouth last weekend while youngsters such as Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock could also be involved.