Team News: Arsenal Trio Set To Miss Huddersfield Clash But Key Man Could Return

Mesut Ozil is expected to miss Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Huddersfield Town this weekend while Aaron Ramsey is also a major doubt, according to the Evening Standard.

Ozil was axed for the 2-1 win at Bournemouth last month amid reports of a bust-up with Unai Emery and the playmaker was subsequently ruled out of the Europa League clash with Vorskla due to an apparent back problem.

The German super-star was once again missing for the North London Derby win over Tottenham last weekend and while he returned to light individual training on Tuesday, Ozil wasn’t involved during Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

It was hoped the 30-year-old would be back in contention for the visit of Huddersfield on Saturday afternoon, however, the Evening Standard claims Ozil isn’t expected to be available to start the game and could once again miss out on a place in the squad altogether.

That would be a huge blow, particularly as Ramsey is now a major doubt to take on Huddersfield after being forced off at  half time against United on Wednesday night with a twisted ankle.

The Welsh international will need to be assessed but it seems highly unlikely he’ll be available this weekend as he was badly limping at Old Trafford so Ozil’s continued absence would leave us low on options in the attacking midfield department.

We also have concerns in defence as Rob Holding is facing a spell on the sidelines after he was stretchered off with a serious-looking knee injury on Wednesday night. The centre-back will be assessed by Arsenal’s medical team but he’s expected to be out for a while which leaves us light at the back.

However, there is some positive news as Laurent Koscielny is on the verge of making his long-awaited comeback from an Achilles injury that he sustained during our Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid last season.

The 33-year-old has played twice for the U23’s and U21’s over the past two weeks and Unai Emery has suggested Koscielny could be in contention against Huddersfield – although the Europa League tie with Qarabag is more likely.

The boss told Arsenal.com:

 on Laurent Koscielny…
Laurent is very close to playing for us. He played two matches for the under-23s – the last one was on Tuesday. When are we thinking he will start playing with us? I don’t know if Saturday is a possibility, but we’re thinking the Europa League game against Qarabag could be a good match for him.

Emery has been playing a back three in recent weeks so Koscielny’s imminent return will give us another valuable option in defence with Holding facing a spell on the sidelines.

In a further boost, Nacho Monreal resumed full training earlier this week so he could be back this weekend and the Spaniard is able to play at centre-back, left-back or left wing-back so he’ll give Emery another versatile option at the back.