Arsenal Injury Latest: Wenger Gives Update On Podolski, Rosicky, The Oxe & More…

Arsenal take on West Brom on Wednesday night in the third round of the Capital One Cup looking to continue their fine recent run of form.

Ahead of the game, boss Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com the latest team news including an update on the fitness of Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Lukas Podolski, Abou Diaby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukasz Fabianski.

Walcott is the latest player to be ruled out with Wenger confirming today that the attacker is set to miss the next 4 weeks with an abdominal injury. The 24-year-old was forced out of Sunday’s clash with Stoke after picking up the problem in the warm up and he’s now set to undergo minor surgery in Germany on Wednesday.

Wenger told the clubs official website:

 “Theo will be out for a few weeks. He has developed some damage to his posterior abdominal wall. It’s not a hernia, but it’s a little structural problem in his abdomen.

“He will have the procedure in Germany on Wednesday and, because it’s so minor, we can begin his rehab immediately. We are pleased it’s being dealt with quickly and he shouldn’t miss too many Arsenal matches. But he will miss the forthcoming international matches with England.”

The international break finishes in mid-October meaning Walcott’s potential return date will be the 19th when Arsenal face Norwich City.

Wenger also confirmed that Rosicky is expected back in full training within a week meaning he’ll still be missing for the trip to the Hawthorns tomorrow as well as Saturday’s visit to Swansea.

Podolski could be the next to return after Rosicky but Wenger describes the German along with Diaby and Oxlade-Chamberlain as being ‘nowhere near ready’, with the Oxe still considered six weeks away from returning to action.

The Gunners boss did have some good news though with Fabianski set to feature against the Baggies after recovering from a nasal problem. The boss told Arsenal.com:

on Tomas Rosicky…

Rosicky is the first back [of the injured players], but not in time for this week. Next week we will start to speak about that. He could come back in the squad for Sunday or Monday.

on long-term absentees Podolski, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diaby…

It’s fine, they are doing well but they are nowhere near ready. The next one back [of those three] might be Lukas. Alex will be one and a half months more.

on Lukasz Fabianski…

Fabianski will be alright [to start on Wednesday]. He had a nasal problem but he will be alright. Fabianski and Viviano are the two goalkeepers in the squad.

So Arsenal look like they will be taking a patched-up squad to the Midlands on Wednesday with Wenger expected to give some younger players a chance to impress in the League Cup as he bids to try and keep his first team players fresh for upcoming games against Swansea in the league and next Tuesday crucial Champions League clash with Napoli.

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