Emery provides injury update on trio after Arsenal’s win over Southampton

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has provided a fitness update on Alex Iwobi, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Ainsley Maitland-Niles following the 2-0 win over Southampton.

Iwobi has been enjoying some excellent form in recent weeks and he kept his place to join Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette in the Arsenal attack against Southampton this afternoon.

The Nigerian international was a real threat down the left wing as he linked up well with Sead Kolasinac on several occasions while he also created the second goal with his cross being converted by Mkhitaryan to make it 2-0 in the 17th minute.

However, the 22-year-old failed to complete the game as he limped off to be replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 75th minute after picking up an apparent calf problem. Emery says he hopes the injury isn’t serious and hasn’t ruled Iwobi out of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Lichtsteiner also started against the Saints this afternoon and he was having a solid game at right-back before limping off early in the second half. Thankfully, Emery has revealed that it’s just a minor back injury and he’s confident the Swiss international will be available in midweek.

The Arsenal boss also provided an update on Maitland-Niles after he missed the win over Southampton today due to illness which also kept him out of the Europa League victory over BATE Borisov on Thursday night but the boss is hopeful the versatile midfielder will return on Wednesday.

Emery told Arsenal.com:

on Alex Iwobi…
I hope it’s only one knock and not a more important injury. I hope he can play Wednesday.

on Stephan Lichtsteiner…
Lichtsteiner has back pain but I think he can also be okay for Wednesday.

on Ainsley Maitland-Niles…
I hope also Maitland-Niles can be ready for Wednesday.

Let’s hope Iwobi’s injury is nothing serious as he’s been in fine form recently while it’s also important we have at least one of Lichtsteiner or Maitland-Niles fit for Wednesday otherwise we’ll be in real trouble at right-back.