Arsenal Pre-Chelsea Team News: Wenger On Flamini, Wilshere, Gnabry & More…

Arsenal play host to Chelsea in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night for what is easily the stand out tie of the round.

Ahead of the game boss Arsene Wenger has given Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Serge Gnabry, Thomas Eisfeld, Gedion Zalalem and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Flamini was forced off after just 10 minutes during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Cystal Palace on Saturday and Wenger has confirmed the midfielder will have a scan today on a groin problem but feels it’s too soon to determine how long he’ll be out for.

The better news is that Wilshere is available to play despite carrying a slight ankle knock in recent games, but Arsenal have decided against appealing Arteta’s red card he received against Palace so the Spaniard will miss the Chelsea clash.

Young winger Gnabry is a doubt with an ankle injury and Eisfeld is struggling with a back problem, while Zalalem and Frimpong are also on the sidelines leaving Wenger short of options in midfield.

The Gunners boss did reveal that Japanese winger Ryo Miyaichi, Isaac Hayden and if fit, Gnabry, will all start the game tomorrow.

Here’s what Wenger told the clubs official website:

on Mathieu Flamini…

He has a scan today and then we will get the results as to how long he will be out. It doesn’t look like a bad muscle injury but honestly it’s too early to give you a precise answer. It’s a groin injury.

on Jack Wilshere…

Yes, he is OK to play.

on Mikel Arteta…

He is suspended for one game, so I will not appeal.

on other injuries…

Serge Gnabry has a problem, he got a kick on the ankle. He will be assessed tomorrow. After that we will decide who plays and who doesn’t play. I will decide [on Tuesday]. Eisfeld has a back problem.

on Gedion Zalalem…

He is not yet available. He had a knee problem. He is back in full training but he has not played yet. He will play 45 minutes with the under-18 team later this week.

on Emmanuel Frimpong…

He is still short of competition. Isaac Hayden will be involved, Ryo and Gnabry if he’s fit.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea are expected to field weakened teams for the League cup clash, but it seems the Gunners have a few injury troubles to contend with as they prepare to welcome their London rivals to the Emirates.

What would be your team for the game Arsenal fans? Share your suggestions below.