Arsenal Team News: Gunners Offer Update On 8 Injured Players Ahead Of Tottenham

Arsenal have provided an update on eight of their injured players ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter final clash with Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium.

Unai Emery has a number of fitness doubts to contend with as Hector Bellerin, Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi  are all facing late check-ups before their availability against Spurs can be decided.

Bellerin was forced off at half-time during Arsenal’s shock 3-2 defeat to Southampton on Sunday afternoon after picking up a calf injury during the closing stages of the first half and the Spaniard is a doubt to face Tottenham.

Kolasinac was ruled out of the trip to St Mary’s at the weekend after suffering a thigh problem in training and the Bosnian international is also facing a late fitness test to see if he’ll be able to return against Spurs.

Emery’s options in defence could be further limited as although Mustafi is available again after serving a one-match ban, the centre-back is still nursing a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of the past two matches.

If the trio are ruled out on Wednesday then Emery will be short at the back as Rob Holding is out for the season with a knee ligament injury while Dinos Mavropanos is also still on the sidelines with a groin problem.

Arsenal will also be without young midfielder Emile Smith Rowe as he’s still working his way back from a hip injury and Danny Welbeck is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle last month.

However, there is at least some positive news for Arsenal as Stephan Lichtsteiner has been passed fit and is available for selection after recovering from a minor knock that he picked up against Southampton.

A full team news update on Arsenal.com said:

Stephan Lichtsteiner
Fit and in full training following knock at Southampton (a).

Hector Bellerin
Left calf. Being assessed ahead of Tottenham Hotspur (h) on Wednesday, December 19.

Sead Kolasinac
Right thigh. Being assessed ahead of Tottenham Hotspur (h) on Wednesday, December 19.

Shkodran Mustafi
Right hamstring. Being assessed ahead of Tottenham Hotspur (h) on Wednesday, December 19.

Emile Smith Rowe
Right hip. Expected to return to full training in December.

Dinos Mavropanos
Groin injury. Expected to return to full training in December.

Rob Holding
Left knee. Recovering after surgery.

Danny Welbeck
Right ankle. Recovering after surgery.

So Emery has some fitness concerns to worry about as Arsenal prepare to welcome Tottenham to the Emirates tomorrow night looking to bounce back from their loss at Southampton – which ended their 22-game unbeaten run.

Emery has given his fringe players and youngsters a chance in the cup competitions so far this season but the Arsenal boss may be tempted to field a stronger side against Tottenham as not only is it a North London Derby but the Gunners also need to get back to winning ways.