Arsenal Injury News: Wenger Confirms Double Blow + Latest On Wilshere, Chambers

Arsenal get back to Premier League action this weekend after a disappointing midweek outing in Europe when we take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, manager Arsene Wenger has been speaking at his pre-match press conference and gave Arsenal.com a team news and injury update including the latest on Nacho Monreal, Yaya Sanogo, Jack Wilshere, Matheiu Flamini and Jack Wilshere.

The bad news is that Monreal will miss the game after failing to recover from a back injury that kept him out on Tuesday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund. The Spaniard’s injury isn’t thought to be serious but it’s enough to prevent him making the trip to the Midlands tomorrow.

In a double blow, Wenger also revealed that Yaya Sanogo is still unavailable because of a niggling hamstring problem that’s seen him miss that last three weeks action. The young Frenchman was unlikely to have started against Villa but he may have been a useful option from the bench.

However, the boss did confirm some positive news with Flamini back in the squad after missing Tuesday’s game while Chambers is also available again having overcome a bout of tonsillitis. The 19-year-old could now step in for Hector Bellerin at right-back.

Arsene also eased fears over the fitness of Jack Wilshere after the midfielder picked up an ankle knock in midweek, with the boss confirming the 22-year-old only received a kick to his left ankle and is available.

Here’s what he told the clubs website:

on Nacho Monreal…

He will miss the game on Saturday. It’s his back and it’s always difficult to predict [the length of absence with those injuries], we don’t really know. I don’t think it will be long-term.

on Yaya Sanogo…

He has a small hamstring problem and is not in the squad.

on Mathieu Flamini and Calum Chambers…

We have [Calum] Chambers back because he had tonsillitis and wasn’t available. And everybody who started the game will be available again. Flamini’s back as well because he wasn’t on the team sheet. He’s back and available.

on Jack Wilshere…

He’s available too. I was wrong [after the Dortmund game], it was his left ankle and it was only a click that made him turn his ankle a bit, so he’s alright.

It’s disappointing that Monreal won’t be available as without him our options at the back are further limited. It will be interesting to see if Arsene decides to start Chambers at right back or keep him in reserve by sticking with Bellerin.

Flamini’s return could see Mikel Arteta drop back to the bench after a hugely disappointing performance against Dortmund, and it’s a big boost to have Wilshere available as he’s arguably been our best player in recent weeks.