Emirates Cup Team News: Wenger Offers Update On Ospina, Sanchez, Wilshere + More

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been in front of the media today and gave the latest team news ahead of this weekends Emirates Cup.

It’s been a fragmented pre-season so far and we’ve still not got the entire squad back together, with our German trio still enjoying an extended break following their World Cup victory, so although there will be no Ozil, Mertesacker or Podolski, we will still have a strong squad on display.

Obviously fans are keen to know if we’ll get a first look at our new summer signings and Arsenal.com confirm that Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy will all play some part over the next two days.

Debuchy and Chambers were in Austria this week with the rest of the squad on a four day training camp so there is no reason why they shouldn’t be heavily involved. However, Sanchez only started training on his own this week so we might only see him briefly.

Unfortunately, fellow summer signing David Ospina won’t be involved as he’s picked up a thigh injury. Although no quotes from Arsene were provided, it did state on the clubs website:

“Arsène Wenger expects to see the majority of Arsenal’s new arrivals take part in this weekend’s Emirates Cup.”

“The Arsenal manager also confirmed that Alexis will be involved in the traditional pre-season tournament”

“New goalkeeper David Ospina will miss out on the tournament with a minor thigh problem.”

Joel Campbell is set to feature and he will be keen to show the boss what he can do in the hope of securing a place in the squad for this coming season. The Costa Rican has been linked with a move away from the club this summer but Arsene says he is in his plans and could face Benfica on Saturday.

Wenger also had his say on Jack Wilshere and claims this is a key season in the midfielders development after two injury-ravened campaigns. Thankfully, Arsene believes that  Jack is now in the best shape he has been in for the last three years and he is certain to feature over the course of the weekend.

However, club captain Thomas Vermaelen is unlikely to be available as he continues to nurse a minor knee injury he picked up at the World Cup, while winger Ryo Miyaichi is still on the sidelines and won’t be fit to face either Benfica or Monaco this weekend. The Japanese international joins Theo Walcott in the treatment room.

Here are some quotes from the boss from today’s press conference:

Wenger: "It's a big season for Jack. He is in the best shape he has been in for the last three years." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Wenger: "Yes, @joel_campbell12 is part of my plans. He might play tomorrow against Benfica." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Wenger: "@T_Vermaelen05 is injured. It is a possibility that he goes." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Wenger: "Ospina has a little thigh problem. He won't be available." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup pic.twitter.com/qjAiNa8BAi

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014

Wenger on Ryo: "No, he is still not fit and he is not available [for the weekend]." http://t.co/GFNaNzGOGy #EmiratesCup

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 1, 2014