Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Injury Blow But 28-Year-Old To Start vs BATE

Arsenal will look to end their Europa League group stage campaign on a high when we take on BATE at the Emirates tomorrow night.

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

The boss has confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out after suffering a thigh injury during Saturday’s hugely frustrating 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates.

Mustafi was at fault for the second goal and was replaced shortly after United went 2-0 up but mystery surrounded the reason behind his withdrawal as he didn’t appear to have picked up an injury.

However, Wenger has now confirmed the German international did in-fact suffer a minor thigh injury against United but there’s a chance Mustafi could recover in time to face Southampton on Sunday.

The boss is expected to rotate his starting eleven once again tomorrow so Mustafi would probably have been rested anyway so hopefully he recovers in time to face the Saints this weekend.

Wenger told reporters that Jack Wilshere will get another chance to impress tomorrow night while Theo Walcott will also come back in to the starting eleven after recovering from illness.

The 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact so far this season but Wenger says Theo is looking sharp in training and he expects to keep him amid rumours he could leave in January.

At Colney. Wenger: "We have a small problem with Mustafi from Saturday but everybody else looks alright. It was a little thigh problem. It is possibility [he could be available for Southampton]. If not, it will be West Ham."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) December 6, 2017

Wenger confirms Wilshere and Walcott will start. On Walcott: "He works very hard to come back into it. He had a sickness a few weeks ago and after I didn't change the squad but in training he looks very sharp." So you are keeping him in January? "Yes."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) December 6, 2017

Arsenal head in to tomorrow night’s game having already secured top spot in Group H so Wenger will be hoping to end the group stages on a high and avoid picking up any more injuries.