Arsenal Handed Major Injury Boost Ahead Of Liverpool Game

Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain expected to be fit to face Liverpool on Sunday, according to the Telegraph.

The midfielder was substituted late on during the Gunners 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday evening after aggravating a groin problem that he had initially picked up against Galatasaray.

The former Southampton youngster was given an injection to try and ease the inflammation and, along with the rest of the Arsenal squad, was given Monday and Tuesday off by boss Arsene Wenger to rest and keep fresh ahead of the hectic festive period.

However, the players returned to London Colney this morning where Oxlade-Chamberlain was assessed by the clubs medical staff to see if the injection had worked, and the Telegraph are reporting that the North Londoners are ‘almost certain’ the 21-year-old will be passed fit to make the trip to Anfield this weekend.

The midfielder will continue to be assessed over the next 48 hours but unless he suffers a set-back, it looks like the England international will be in the squad to face Liverpool.

The news will be a welcome boost to Wenger as he’s already going to be without Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby so his options are limited in central midfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has excelled alongside Mathieu Flamini and Santi Cazorla in a more central role in recent weeks and he’s expected to continue there at Anfield this weekend if he is passed fit.

In more good news for Arsenal, Theo Walcott could also be back in contention after recovering from a groin injury that he suffered while away with the England squad a month ago, but the attacker will almost certainly be named among the subs due to a lack of match fitness.