Arsenal Injury Update: Wenger Gives Latest On Ozil, Walcott, Cazorla & More…

Arsenal take on Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to cement their status as Premier League leaders. 

Ahead of the match boss Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on the fitness of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Bacary Sagna, Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky.

We were given an injury scare in midweek when record signing Ozil was forced off in the final minutes of Germany’s 5-3 win over Sweden on Tuesday, but Wenger has confirmed the playmaker just received a kick to his knee and will have a late fitness test to see if he’s able to feature on Saturday.

Santi Cazorla could make a first team return after the Spaniard returned to full training this week. The boss hasn’t decided whether he’ll start due to a lack of match practice, but if Ozil is ruled out there’s every chance we’ll see Cazorla make his first start since September 1st.

Right-back Sagna could be in contention as well after recovering from a minor hamstring injury that kept him out of the West Brom game before the international break.

Midfielder Rosicky is also back in the squad but Walcott is still a further two weeks away from full fitness with an abdominal injury. The winger remains on the sidelines alongside long-term absentees Abou Diaby, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yaya Sanogo.

Here’s what Wenger told the clubs official website:

on Mesut Ozil, who was substituted for Germany on Tuesday…

He is alright. He came back with a knock on the knee but it was just a kick. We’ll have a test tomorrow to see if he is fit enough for Saturday or not. When you have not played, there is always a little doubt but not a major one.

on Sagna and Cazorla…

Sagna is 80 per cent fit and he will have a test. Cazorla is available in training but he is not match-fit. It is just about competitiveness with him. There is a possibility both are in the squad for Saturday. I have not decided whether they will start or not.

on Rosicky and Walcott…

Rosicky is back in the squad and available. Walcott is still two weeks away.

on Sanogo, Podolski, Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain…

All of them are out for a longer period.

It’s a huge boost to have Cazorla back and with him, Ozil, Rosicky and Wilshere we have an array of attacking talent available.

Now we’ve seen the team news, what would be your preferred starting eleven to face Norwich? Share your suggestions below.