Arsenal Pre-Liverpool Team News: Wenger Confirms Midfielder Blow + Duo Face Tests

Arsenal will be looking to close in on the top four when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has given reporters a team news and injury update and not for the first time this season the North Londoners have some fitness worries to contend with.

Wenger told Arsenal.com that Aaron Ramsey will not only miss tomorrow’s trip to Merseyside but he’s also likely to miss the rest of the festive period as he continues to nurse a hamstring problem.

The Welshman suffered the injury during Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Galatasaray in the Champions League 10 days ago and it was initially thought the problem was a minor one.

However, scans revealed the injury was worse than first thought and now Wenger has all-but ruled Ramsey out until the New Year. He told the clubs website:

‘I am scared he (Ramsey) will miss the Christmas period.

‘He should be back at the end of December, [or] beginning of January.’

This is a major blow for Arsenal as it means Ramsey will miss games against Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham, while he’ll also be in a race against time to make the trip to St Mary’s to face Southampton on New Years Day.

Wenger also revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott will face late fitness tests to see if they will make the trip to Anfield tomorrow, but Laurent Koscielny is definitely out.

‘Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott will be assessed tomorrow (Saturday). Laurent Koscielny is still out.’ Wenger told reporters.

Oxlade-Chamberlain aggravated a minor groin injury against Newcastle last week while Walcott has only just returned to full training following his own groin problem that he picked up while away with the England squad last month, but the hope is both attackers will be passed fit to be in the squad.

With Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere already out injured, Arsenal desperately need Oxlade-Chamberlain to be fit as he’s played in a central role in recent weeks and Wenger will be left with few options if the former Saints youngster is ruled out.