Arsenal Pre-Man City Team News: Wenger Gives Update On Sagna, Walcott & Podolski

Arsenal face their toughest test of the season as they visit the Etihad to take on Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.

Ahead of the game, boss Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media and gave Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on the fitness of Bacary Sagna, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott.

The good news for the north Londoners is that they picked up no fresh injury worries from Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Napoli. The main doubt is over Sagna who has missed Arsenal’s last three games with a hamstring injury. Wenger confirmed the Frenchman will have a late test but he’s quietly optimistic the defender will be passed fit.

Podolski hasn’t featured in over three months due to a hamstring tear he picked up back in August, but while the German is back in full training, Wenger feels he might just be a bit short to be in contention this weekend.

Theo Walcott is another who hasn’t started for some time. The winger has made two substitute appearances in recent weeks since returning to training from an abdominal strain and Wenger is undecided whether he’ll start the winger against City or keep him on the bench.

The Gunners boss told the clubs official website:

on the team news…

The final check will be made on Friday morning because only yesterday the players came in. But everybody felt alright. We have some doubts. The main doubt we have is about Sagna, who will have a test [on Friday] and after that I will make the decision about whether I take him with us or not.

on being optimistic about Sagna…

I am optimistic but it’s my nature.

on Podolski…

He is available. I feel he is still a bit short to go into a match of that level of intensity but after this weekend I will consider him to be available.

on Theo Walcott starting…

Honestly I haven’t made that decision but it took him a while to get back to real sharpness. Since this week he looked to me that he has found back his normal level. He is coming back from surgery and it took him a while to get back to his full power.

Arsenal head into the game sitting six points clear of fourth-placed City and will hope to at least maintain that advantage with a positive result this weekend.

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