Arsenal Pre-City Team News: Wenger Offers Update On Ramsey, Wilshere, Diaby + More

Arsenal entertain Manchester City at the Emirates on Saturday night in a vital clash at the top of the Premier League table.

Ahead of the game, boss Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday and gave reporters the latest team news.

Unfortunately, no injured players will be returning in time to take on City tomorrow but Arsene has indicated that Aaron Ramsey is likely to be the first one to return to training next week. The Welshman has been out since suffering a thigh injury on Boxing Day but is pencilled in to return to full training on Thursday after a number of set-backs in his recovery.

The midfielder could be joined by Nacho Monreal in returning to training late next week with the Spaniard still working his way back to full fitness following a foot injury.

However, while the boss says Jack Wilshere still needs ‘more time’ to recover from his broken foot, he is confident the 22-year-old will have no problem making the World Cup this summer.

There was also an update on the fitness of forgotten midfielder Abou Diaby with Arsene confirming that the Frenchman will return to full training on April 1st, but he is refusing to give any indication over whether the injury-plagued midfielder will be able to take part in any first team games after being out with a knee injury for over a year.

Wenger told reporters:

“[Ramsey] is the first who will come back certainly. Now with Nacho Monreal next week he should be joining in normal training next week again. Thursday it’s planned but let’s be cautious.

“Jack Wilshere needs more time. I don’t know exactly how long, he works very hard on his rehab and it’s a fractured bone so you cannot accelerate that process. For the World Cup certainly [he will be back].

“Diaby is coming back now. He had a preparation in France, where he had his rehab and will be back to full training on April 1.” [source: Mirror]

He continued on Arsenal.com:

“Let’s not forget he has not played for a year. I cannot predict now how much time it will take him to be competitive.

“I cannot plan for him to play a role now in the coming games, but maybe I will have a good surprise when I see him.”

Arsenal head into the weekend game with an injury-hit squad. As well as Ramsey, Monreal, Diaby and Wilshere, Wenger will also be without the services of Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott, so he has limited options as he tries to get his team back in the title race.

The Gunners are currently three points off third-placed City – who also have two games in hand – so there is no doubt that the north Londoners require a win to have any chance of lifting the title this season.

What team would you like to see Arsene put out this weekend? Share your views below…