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Team News: Wenger Offers Update On Ox-Chamberlain, Arteta & Wilshere
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mikel Arteta out of Saturday’s FA Cup semi final but Jack Wilshere is available for selection.
The Ox has been out since suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester United last month and the boss revealed last week that he would be out for at least another two weeks after aggravating a groin injury.
Speaking this morning at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi final against Reading, Arsene has claimed that the midfielder is still two weeks away from full fitness so won’t take any part at Wembley.
Arteta hasn’t featured for the first team since suffering a calf injury against Borussia Dortmund way back in November but he returned to full training earlier this month and made his return for the under-21’s last week.
However, it looks as though the Spaniard may have suffered a slight set-back as he was left out of the under-21’s squad this week and now Arsene has said he isn’t available to face Reading this weekend.
There is some good news though as the boss confirmed that Jack Wilshere is fully-fit and available for selection.
Jack has played for the under-21’s in their last two fixtures to get some much-needed match practice under his belt and judging by these videos, he’s getting back to something like his best form.
I still don’t think Wilshere will start on Saturday but he’ll be a great option to have on the bench.
Here’s what the manager has been saying this morning:
TEAM NEWS: Only @m8arteta and Oxlade-Chamberlain unavailable. @Arsenal have a "big squad" to choose from #RFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/IEJVXuLMYr
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 16, 2015
At Colney. Wenger: "Arteta is out and Chamberlain is not available for selection. Everybody else is alright. Ox out for 2 weeks."
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 16, 2015
Wenger: "I play my tenth semi-final on Saturday so that means we know how to prepare." Also says Wilshere fit to play on Saturday.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 16, 2015