Arsenal boss provides injury update on Aubameyang, Ramsey, Koscielny & Xhaka

Unai Emery has provided an injury update on Aaron Ramsey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka following Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

We eased to a routine victory over the Magpies at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night with goals from Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette sealing the win to send us above Manchester United and Tottenham into third place in the table.

Ramsey was instrumental in the match after putting-in another all-action display and it was a big blow when he limped down the tunnel after being replaced by Mohamed Elneny midway through the second period.

Fans feared Ramsey had aggravated a thigh injury that had kept him out of action during the international break, however, Emery has eased fears over the Welsh international’s fitness after revealing he was only suffering from cramp and should be available for Sunday’s trip to Everton.

Xhaka suffered a groin problem while playing for Switzerland during the international break last week and the Arsenal man faced a late fitness test ahead of Monday’s clash with Newcastle. Emery has confirmed the midfielder was ruled out on Friday but the Gunners boss describes the injury as ‘small’ so hopefully Xhaka won’t be on the sidelines for too long.

Aubameyang was only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench against Newcastle with Emery confirming the striker had been suffering from a high temperature in the days leading up to the match. The Gabon international still looked sharp during his cameo in the second half so he should be pushing for a recall against Everton at the weekend.

Arsenal had to make-do without Koscielny against Newcastle after the centre-back informed staff yesterday that he wasn’t fit to start due to unspecified pain which was presumably related to his long-standing Achilles issues. The problem doesn’t sound serious so hopefully Koscielny will be back for the trip to Goodison Park on Sunday.

Emery told Arsenal.com:

on the injuries before the game…
We started Friday with not good news with Xhaka, because he has a small injury and he could not play today. After also, Aubameyang, he has had a temperature for two days and was doubtful to play today. But also, he is coming for us to start in the bench and after he was good and he felt good in his 30 minutes. Today he was coming with us in the group, Koscielny, but with some pain and he said to us he is not ready to play the match.

on Aaron’s injury…
It’s only cramp. I don’t think it’s more and I hope he will be ready for Sunday.

So it’s positive news all round as none of the injuries are serious and all four players could be available when Arsenal travel to Merseyside to take on Everton on Sunday looking to cement our place in the top four.