Injury Update: Wenger Gives Latest On Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Ozil & More

Arsenal take on Cardiff City at the Emirates on New Years Day hoping to cement their place at the top of the Premier League.

Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media and gave Arsenal.com a team news update and the Frenchman has a lengthy injury list to worry about with up to 12 players potentially missing the game.

Wenger confirmed that Aaron Ramsey is out for up to three weeks with a thigh strain while Mesut Ozil has seen a specialist on his shoulder problem and will also miss the Cardiff clash.

Kieran Gibbs is the latest injury victim after picking up a calf problem during the win over Newcastle while Olivier Giroud is also set for a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Tomas Rosicky (calf) are also doubts after picking up knocks at St James’ Park while Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen will be assessed ahead of the match after missing the trip to the north east through illness.

Wenger did have some good news with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set to return to full training in a week after his lengthy lay-off, but Yaya Sanogo and Abou Diaby remain out.

Here’s what the boss told the clubs official website:

on the team news…

Starting of course first with Ramsey and Ozil who are out, and we lost Gibbs at Newcastle with a calf strain. We have as well Monreal and Vermaelen who are not certain to be ready because they have come just back from illness, then we have uncertainty about Rosicky, Wilshere, Walcott. We lost Giroud to an ankle problem at Newcastle so this morning will be more medical checks to see who will be available for the game.

on Ramsey and Ozil…

Ramsey three weeks and Ozil has seen a specialist last night, I haven’t got a report yet.

on Walcott and Rosicky…

Walcott has a little shoulder problem. Rosicky got a little kick on his calf. They are all going to be assessed this morning.

on Oxlade-Chamberlain…

Alex is one week away from normal training.

Wenger will be hoping some of his injury doubts are passed fit or his squad will be severely stretched as he prepares to welcome Cardiff looking to at least maintain the Gunners one-point advantage at the top of the table.

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