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Arsene Wenger Confirms Blow As Midfielder Could Miss Rest Of Season

By mac14 on April 17, 2015

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is struggling to overcome a groin injury and may be forced to miss the rest of the season.

The Ox hasn’t featured since suffering a hamstring injury during our FA Cup quarter final victory over Manchester United last month.

He was close to making a comeback in early April but the hamstring issue aggravated a long-standing groin problem and he’s been on the sidelines ever since.

Arsene admitted last week that the midfielder was facing a key few days in his recovery as if the inflammation didn’t settle down, they may be forced to operate which would end Oxlade-Chamberlain’s season.

Speaking to reporters at his press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Reading, the boss said he’s hopeful the 21-year-old will be able to rejoin training next week but admits he’s at least two weeks away from being in contention to play again.

However, with the inflammation still not cleared-up, Arsene also admitted that The Ox may not play again this campaign if things don’t improve over the coming days.

When asked if Oxlade-Chamberlain will play again this season, the boss told reporters:

‘It is in the balance,’ said Wenger.

‘The inflammation has not completely cleared. He is on the way, building up and he might join in next week in full training and then we see. He is at least two weeks away.’

It would be a real blow if The Ox is ruled out for the season. He’s endured a hugely frustrating last 18 months and missed the remainder of last season after suffering a serious knee injury which also ruled him out of the World Cup finals.

We’ll have to wait and see how things progress over the coming week but hopefully the inflammation settled down and we’ll see the midfielder back playing again before the end of the season. It would be gutting for The Ox if he was to miss another Wembley final – should we beat Reading on Saturday!