Arsenal Injury News: Diaby, Rosicky, Mertesacker & More….

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given us the latest injury news ahead of this weekends trip to play Stoke City at the Britannia.

The Gunners take on the Potters looking to consolidate third place in the league, and we have mixed injury news going in to the match.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger confirmed that Thomas Rosicky is fit to start after recovering from sickness that forced him off early against Chelsea last week. However, fellow midfielder Abou Diaby is a doubt after he himself picked up a sickness bug and only returned to training on Thursday for a light session. Diaby is likely to only make the bench.

As expected Theo Walcott will miss the next few weeks with a hamstring strain, although he could be back in time to face WBA on the final day of the season, and Yossi Benayoun returns after being ineligible against Chelsea last week.

Arsene also gave an update on the recovery of defender Per Mertesacker, and it seems the German is progressing well and is now doing ball work. We won’t see him back in the Red & White this season but hopefully he can be fit in time to make the Euro’s.

Here is what Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on Tomas Rosicky…

He is alright. He was sick last weekend. I think he pushed himself very hard to get on the pitch but he has recovered since and should be fit for the game.

on Abou Diaby….

He will not start. He was sick until yesterday and had a light session. He could be short again but he could be in the squad.

on Theo Walcott…

Theo is out for Saturday. He has a little chance to catch the last game but not the next two.

on Per Mertesacker…

He is doing well. He is hopeful he will make the Euros and I hope he does. He is doing all his work here and the next two weeks will be vital for him. He has started ball work and he looks quite good.

on other team news…

Basically the squad should be similar to what we have seen in the last game. But Yossi Benayoun should be back because he could not play in the last game against Chelsea.