Arsenal Team News & Injury Update: Cazorla, Arteta, Vermaelen & More…

Arsenal welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their opening Premier League game and boss Arsene Wenger has given the clubs official website an injury and team news update.

The Frenchman confirmed that Santi Cazorla will arrive back form his long-haul trip to Ecuador on Thursday night and will be assessed on Friday ahead of the weekends action.  The playmaker played almost the entire match as Spain won 2-0 but is likely to feel the effects of such a long journey so it’s not clear if he’ll be able to start on Saturday.

Wenger also revealed that midfielder Mikel Arteta has picked up a thigh problem and will have a scan on the injury today. If Arteta is ruled out it will be a massive blow and the back-up options look limited at present, so lets hope the scan gives him the all-clear.

The manager also confirmed that Nacho Monreal will rejoin training in 10 days following a back injury, Abou Diaby is still several months away from returning to action due to a serious knee problem but winger Ryo Miyaichi should be back training next week after recovering from a rib injury.

Here is what Wenger told Arsenal.com

We have positive news from the players on international duty. All the texts we had have back are OK. The games were quite intense but we hope everyone comes back in good shape.

on Cazorla’s international in Ecuador…

He played almost a full game. He only lands in London tonight [Thursday] so we’ll see how he is tomorrow.

on Mikel Arteta…

Mikel has a slight thigh problem. We have to check that. I don’t know if he will be out for the weekend. He has a scan today.

on Nacho Monreal (back)…

He should join up with the squad for full training in 10 days. He is out for the weekend of course.

on Thomas Vermaelen (back)…

It is a while longer for him. It is difficult to put a timescale on it but it will be a bit longer. He is progressing OK.

on Abou Diaby (knee)…

It is longer still for him but again the timescale is difficult. He is a few months in and it was expected to be nine months.

on Ryo (rib)…

He is close and he should be back with the training group next week.

The squad is looking painfully weak for this weekend and worrying also for next weeks first leg away at Fenerbache. With niggling injuries starting to pile up already the boss is playing a dangerous game not bringing in new signings sooner.  Let’s hope we can cope until the club decide to open the cheque book.