Arsenal Injury Update: Walcott Doubt, Wilshere & More….

Arsenal travel to Germany to take on Schalke on Tuesday night in their Champions League encounter and we have the latest team news.

The Gunners head into the game looking to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing result at Old Trafford, losing 2-1 to rivals Manchester United, but Arsene Wenger has seen his squad hit by injury once again.

Aaron Ramsey has been left at home after picking up a groin strain at the weekend, defender Johan Djourou replaces the Welshman. There is also a doubt over Theo Walcott after the winger fell ill last night. He didn’t train on Monday and Wenger confirmed he’ll be assessed before the game tomorrow.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere is likely to start but the boss is keen to give the youngster a break soon to avoid overplaying him after such a long period out. Here’s what Arsene told Arsenal.com.

on any changes…

Ramsey (groin) is left at home and Djourou replaces him in the squad.

on Theo Walcott…

He has been sick overnight [and] didn’t practice today so we have to see how he is on Tuesday morning.

on Jack Wilshere…

I think I will play him. Then we have a block of three games and maybe the fact that he gets a period of recovering will be just right for him. He gets better in every game.

So unfortunately Kieran Gibbs, Wojciech Szczesny and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain out. All three are expected back soon and hopefully they’ll return for Fulham on Saturday, but we now go into the crucial Schalke game with a weaker squad than the one that travelled to Old Trafford.

If Theo shakes off his illness he has to start. If he declared unfit, it looks like Andrei Arshavin may get a recall. Either way, the team needs to put in a much-improved performance or we’ll put our champions league qualification hopes in the balance.

What would be your team to face Schalke? Get involved in the comments section.

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