Arsenal Injury Update: Santos, Arteta, Walcott & More…

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has provided an injury update ahead of Monday’s game at the Emirates against Newcastle.

The Gunners 3-0 win over AC Milan on Tuesday came at a cost as both Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs picked up knocks but Wenger is confident they should be fit for Monday.

There is positive news on Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta with both expected to return to the squad, while Andre Santos is back in full training today after a long injury lay-off. The Brazilian is still not back to full fitness so won’t be considered this week but it’s great to have Andre back and he will provide solid conpetition for Gibbs at left back.

The final piece of news was on Yossi Benayoun, who looks unlikely to return after missing the Milan game through injury. Here is what Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on the aftermath of Milan game…

There are lots of knocks and bruises but I don’t think anybody should be definitely out for Monday night from the players who started the game.

on Kieran Gibbs…

We have to check his groin but he has a chance.

on Theo Walcott…

He has a kick on his hip so that should be OK.

on Andre Santos…

He is back in full training on Friday. He is certainly short [for Monday] because he has not played for four months but I do not really know yet, it is a decision I have to make. We will see first how Gibbs is.

on Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta…

They should be back in the squad.

on Yossi Benayoun…

Yossi was getting started again on Thursday, I do not know if he will be ready for Monday night.

So the squad is beginning to come together again after a difficult couple of weeks, injury-wise, where we were getting down to the bare bones, especially in midfield.