Arsenal Team News: Wenger Rules Attacker Out But Quartet Passed Fit

Arsenal will be looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Burnley at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Arsene Wenger has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s offered reporters a team news and injury update.

The boss was pleased to confirm some positive news with Kieran Gibbs, Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin and Olivier Giroud all available for selection after recovering from their respective injuries.

Gibbs has missed our last four games in all competitions after suffering a knee injury during the win over West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day but the left-back returned to full training this week and is in contention to face Burnley.

Coquelin will also be back in the squad on Sunday after making a speedy recovery from a hamstring injury that he sustained against Bournemouth on January 3rd. The midfielder was initially ruled out for up to a month but he’s recovered quicker than expected and is pushing for a start this weekend.

In a further boost, Bellerin is expected to come back in at right-back after overcoming a minor ankle problem that he picked up in training and has kept him out of the last two games. The Spaniard should replace Gabriel at the back on Sunday.

There were concerns over Giroud after he was forced off during our 4-0 win over Swansea last week after suffering an ankle injury but thankfully it’s turned out to be nothing serious and the striker was able to resume full training on Wednesday.

However, there was some bad news from Wenger’s press conference as he confirmed that Theo Walcott remains out as he continues to work on his fitness after missing our last five matches in all competitions with a calf injury.

The boss is quoted as saying by the Independent:

“From last week, Bellerin, Coquelin & Gibbs are back in the group. Not Walcott. Giroud is back in training since yesterday.”

So it looks as though the squad is in good health as we prepare to welcome Burnley to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon where a win is needed to not only cement our position in the top four but also hopefully see us close the gap on the top three.