Arsenal Handed Triple Injury Boost + Wenger Offers Update on Mkhitaryan/Elneny

Arsenal will look to take control of their Europa League semi-final with a win over Atletico Madrid when they arrive at the Emirates on Thursday night.

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

The boss confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still not back in the squad as he’s still working his way back to full fitness following a knee ligament injury.

The Armenian international picked up the problem during the quarter-final first leg win over CSKA Moscow three weeks ago and returned to light individual training last week.

Tomorrow’s game will come too soon for the playmaker but Mkhitaryan will be hoping to get himself fit and in contention for the trip to Spain for the second leg next Thursday.

Wenger also gave an update on Mohamed Elneny and confirmed the midfielder is likely to miss the rest of the season after damaging ankle ligaments against West Ham on Sunday.

The boss says Elneny has a slight chance to be fit for our final Premier League game at Huddersfield but either way we’s certain to be available for Egypt at this summers World Cup finals.

There was better news elsewhere as Arsenal were handed a triple injury boost with Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech all taking part in full training today ahead of the Atletico game.

Ozil missed Sunday’s 4-1 victory over West Ham through illness while Wilshere also sat out that match due to a niggling ankle injury but both players took part in full training today and will be fit to face Madrid.

Cech was also forced to miss the Hammers game with a minor hip injury but he’s set to return and is expected to replace David Ospina between the sticks tomorrow night.

Wenger: "Mkhitaryan is not back in the squad. Elneny has a little, little chance to play a Huddersfield. He will be available for Egypt at the World Cup."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 25, 2018

Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech all trained today, so should be available against Atletico tomorrow.

— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) April 25, 2018