Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Quadruple Injury Blow Ahead Of Wigan Clash

Arsenal have been hit by a quadruple injury blow with boss Arsene Wenger confirming that Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all major doubts to face Wigan this weekend while defender Laurent Koscielny is definitely still out.

The Gunners face the Championship side at Wembley on Saturday evening and Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning where he gave reporters the latest team news.

Gibbs missed our 3-0 defeat to Everton last week with an ankle injury and it seems he’s still struggling to overcome the problem as the boss confirmed that the left-back remains a major doubt. If he fails to make it, Nacho Monreal will once again deputise in defence.

Arsene also revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky are doubts after picking up knocks this week and will also face late fitness tests, with some reporters claiming the trio are unlikely to be passed fit.

If the duo miss out, it’s going to leave us extremely short of options in midfield and attack. As expected, Mesut Ozil remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and Arsene says the German could be back for next weekends clash with Hull City at the earliest.

With Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere also injured and Mathieu Flamini suspended, we’re down to the bare bones and I’m honestly struggling to come up with a team in my head. Serge Gnabry also missed the Everton game through injury and there was no update on his fitness today so it looks like he could also still be out.

We also have problems in defence as the boss confirmed that Laurent Koscielny isn’t going to be fit in time to feature but could return to face West Ham on Tuesday. It means Thomas Vermaelen will once again start alongside Per Mertesacker at the back but we’ll have few options to call upon if we pick up an injury in defence.

There was one piece of good news with Arsene confirming that Aaron Ramsey will make his first start in nearly four months after returning from a calf injury last weekend. Ideally he may have had another substitute appearance before being asked to play the full ninety, but we’ve been left with little option given our injury problems.

Here what Arsene told reporters this morning:

TEAM NEWS: "We have a lot of uncertainties. Gibbs, Rosicky and Oxlade-Chamberlain are all doubts" http://t.co/FvXZOChPH3 #AFCvWAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 10, 2014

At Colney. Wenger: "Gibbs, Rosicky, Chamberlain are all not available. There'll be late decisions on those 3 players. Ramsey will start."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 10, 2014

Wenger: "@aaronramsey is ready to start against Wigan. Ozil could be back next Saturday, Koscielny could be back for Tuesday" #AFCvWAFC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 10, 2014

To clarify, I think Wenger is saying Gibbs, Ox and Rosicky are out as it stands. Will give them until the last minute to prove fitness.

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 10, 2014