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TEAM NEWS: Wenger Confirms Triple Injury Doubt For Man Utd Game

By mac14 on November 21, 2014

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that three of Arsenal’s key attackers face late fitness tests ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Manchester United.

As I already reported earlier, Alexis Sanchez is facing a late check after arriving back late from international duty but he’s taken part in training today so should be fine to start tomorrow barring any late hiccups.

Danny Welbeck’s availability is less certain after he was forced off during the second half of England’s 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday with a hamstring complaint and the 23-year-old will also be given a late fitness test.

However, the really bad news is that Theo Walcott appears to have returned from the international break with a minor groin injury and Arsene says he’s unlikely to be involved against United tomorrow.

The boss told Arsenal.com:

“We still have some problems – I haven’t seen Alexis Sanchez yet because he landed on [Thursday] afternoon,” he said.

“We have to check him this morning and Danny Welbeck also had a little hamstring problem. We have lots of people to check.

“Theo could not practice yesterday. It is a little tight groin. I don’t think he will be available.”

Hopefully all three will be able to take part this weekend but thankfully we now have Olivier Giroud to call upon should any of the trio be ruled out.

Giroud is back in contention after making a swift recovery from a fractured tibia that he sustained against Everton back in August and Arsene has praised the strikers attitude in getting himself fit well ahead of schedule.

“He’s ahead of schedule by at least three weeks,” Wenger said. “We planned for him to be back in January.

“He’s not there yet on the competition front but he’s in decent physical shape. He’s a bit short [of fitness] but he worked very hard to be back early and it worked.

“The surgery went well, he had no setbacks during his rehab and he’s got a naturally solid structure. He is very solid and heals very well. He also has a positive mentality. He’s always positive and that helps as well.”

I ‘d still be majorly shocked if Giroud was to start as he’s yet to play any minutes since his injury in August but he’ll certainly be a useful weapon to have off the bench if needed.