Arsenal Injury Update: Wenger Offers Latest On Ozil, Wilshere, Koscielny + More

Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday afternoon came at a cost as Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal and Jack Wilshere all picked up knocks.

Monreal went off at half time after getting kicked on his foot while Koscielny was also forced off midway through the second period with a back injury but speaking after the game, boss Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com that he feels the duo should be available for our trip to Stoke City next week.

Wilshere was also seen limping towards the end of the game and the boss has confirmed he was suffering from a tight hamstring but thankfully he doesn’t think the injury is too serious.

Record summer signing Mesut Ozil missed the game with many believing he was ‘rested’ after his disappointing display against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night. However, Wenger claims the German international had picked up a thigh problem but will be back next weekend.

He told the clubs website:

on Koscielny and Monreal…

Koscielny has a back problem, Nacho has a foot problem because he was kicked on his foot. I think both should be available next week.

on Mesut Ozil…

Yes [he was injured], a thigh problem but it was a kick. He should also be available next week. He is in the dressing room at the moment.

on Wilshere…

He had a tight hamstring, I don’t know if it is bad or not. They tell me it is not too bad.

It’s will be a huge relief if Koscielny and Monreal’s injuries aren’t serious, as we’d be in major trouble if the duo were ruled out for any length of time. Thomas Vermaelen is still out with a calf problem so if Kos joined him on the sidelines, we’d have just one recognised centre-back to choose form.

Our problems at left-back would be even more worrying if Monreal was to be ruled out, as Kieran Gibbs is facing three weeks out with a muscle injury, so fingers crossed they are both passed fit next Saturday.

I don’t know why we left Wilshere on the field for the final few minutes at the weekend. He was clearly struggling and he could easily have made the hamstring injury worse, but hopefully it’s not serious as he’s been getting back to his best in recent games.