Arsenal Team News: Mkhitaryan One Of 4 Players To Miss Chelsea Tie + Duo Also Doubts

Arsenal will look to book their place in the final of the Carabao Cup when they take on Chelsea at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Arsene Wenger spoke to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s provided a team news and injury update ahead of the game.

The Gunners boss has confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan – who completed his move from Man Utd yesterday – won’t be available as he’s cup-tied having played in a previous round of the competition.

Aaron Ramsey could be back in contention as the midfielder will have a late fitness test after missing the Premier League win over Crystal Palace at the weekend through illness.

Wenger also confirmed that Nacho Monreal will face a late test after the full-back was forced off during the first half of our 4-1 win on Saturday with a minor hamstring complaint.

However, there will be no Olivier Giroud as the striker is described as being a ‘fraction short’ of being available having missed the last five weeks with a hamstring injury.

Arsenal’s options in attack will be limited once again as Danny Welbeck has also been ruled out with a muscle problem that kept him out of the Palace game so he remains on the sidelines with long-term absentee Santi Cazorla.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on Mkhitaryan being cup-tied and the latest team news…
No [he’s not available]. We might have Ramsey back in the squad – he has a test today. After that, we have the uncertainty over Nacho Monreal who came off during the game against Crystal Palace. Hopefully he will be available. He has a test this morning as well.

on Giroud and Welbeck…
Olivier Giroud’s a fraction short. Danny Welbeck is a fraction short as well.

With Alexis Sanchez off to Man Utd, Theo Walcott now at Everton, Mkhitaryan ineligible and Giroud/Welbeck out injured, Wenger has limited options in the final third tomorrow.

The Arsenal boss is likely to stick with the same front three that faced Palace with Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil supporting Alexandre Lacazette but otherwise he’ll be relying on youngsters from the bench.

It’s not the ideal situation for Arsenal heading in to a vital game that’s finely poised following the 0-0 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.