Arsenal Injury Update: Oxe, Koscielny & More….

Arsenal face a tough trip to face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday and manager Arsene Wenger has given an injury update ahead of the game.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger confirmed youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should return to training on Friday after missing last weeks 0-0 draw with Sunderland with an ankle injury. Despite the lack of action, Chamberlain is expected to be in the squad to face Stoke.

There is less positive news on Laurent Koscielny, who also missed the Sunderland game with a calf strain, with the French defender set to sit out this weekends action once again. However, Kos should be back next week.

Lukasz Fabianski had a test on his back on Thursday and should be ok to take his place on the bench on Sunday.  Here is what Arsene told Arsenal.com:

on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle)…

He should be back in the training group from Friday. He has not practiced with the team yet. But he should be in the squad for Stoke.

on Laurent Koscielny (calf)…

He will not be back. But he should definitely be back next week. So he should play in the game after Stoke.

on Lukasz Fabianski, who missed the Sunderland game…

He should be OK. He has a test today [Thursday] and, normally, he will be back. He has had a problem with inflammation of the back.

on other team news…

Touch wood, we have no further problems apart from the guys who are out in the longer term.

So things are looking on the injury front, other than long term injuries victims such as Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Tomas Rosicky, we have a relatively healthy squad at present.

It will be interesting to see what line-up Wenger goes for on Sunday. The absence of Koscielny could be a blessing in disguise as we will no doubt need Per Mertesackers height to deal with Crouch and the bombardment of long-balls we’ll no doubt face.

Diaby is also likely to keep his place as his height will also be valuable at set pieces. So i could see an un-changed line-up for the Stoke game. The only possible change could see Giroud come in, once again for his height and physical presence, with either Gervinho, Podolski or Walcott making way.

Fancy a flutter on the game? Claim your £10 welcome bonus at Sky Bet and enjoy some of the best match odds in the business.