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TEAM NEWS: Wenger On Ramsey, Ozil, Gibbs, Monreal, Kallstrom + Sanogo

By on March 13, 2014

Arsenal boss Arsenal Wenger has given Arsenal.com a full team news and injury update ahead of our crucial trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham on Sunday.

As was reported earlier, we’ve received a huge blow with the news that Aaron Ramsey has suffered a minor set-back in his recovery from a thigh injury and has been ruled out of this weekends action.

Rambo had been pencilled in to return against Spurs from an injury that’s kept him out for the best part of three months, but Arsene has confirmed the Welshman has had ‘some difficulties’ in his recovery and will not be available this weekend.

It’s obviously a big blow to not have Ramsey, especially with the number of injuries we’ve already got to deal with, but hopefully it’s not a major set back and he could be ready to face Chelsea next weekend.

Arsene has given us some good news today by revealing that Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal are facing late fitness tests but have a ‘good chance’ to be in contention this Sunday. Thomas Vermaelen did OK against Bayern but it will be a relief to have a ‘proper’ left-back again.

However, we’re going to have to wait a little longer to find out the full extent of Mesut Ozil’s hamstring injury as the results from his scans are not back yet. The feeling among the journalists is that the German international is facing between 4-6 weeks out.

January signing Kim Kallstrom could make his debut with the boss confirming that the midfielder has returned to full training along with young striker Yaya Sanogo, but I wouldn’t expect either will start the match.

This is what Arsene said today:

on the left backs…

Kieran Gibbs has a test tomorrow but I am hopeful that Nacho Monreal will be fit. They both have a good chance.

on Mesut Ozil’s injury at Bayern…

He is out. I don’t know for how long but it is a hamstring injury. There are scans going on.

on Ramsey…

We have had to defer his comeback to full training a little so he is not available. He is having difficulties in the final stages of his rehab. It looks to be short-term.

on Kim Kallstrom and Yaya Sanogo…

Kallstrom joins the normal training group today and Sanogo too. I will have to decide if Kallstrom is OK to be in the squad on Sunday. I will see how he looks, it is not impossible.

So from the latest team news is looks like we could make a couple of changes from the team that drew with Bayern. Either Gibbs or Monreal are likely to come in for Vermaelen at left-back while Rosicky is probably favourite to come in for Ozil.

There’s also the possibility Arsene might bring Flamini in alongside Arteta and move The Ox further forward, although Rosicky could still replace Podolski in attack.

I’ll have my preferred starting line-up up on the site soon, but till then let me know what team you think Wenger should select v Spurs…..