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Team News: Wenger Rules Duo Out Of Chelsea Match + Ospina Update

By mac14 on July 28, 2015

Image: Mirror

Arsene Wenger has given a team news and injury update ahead of Arsenal’s Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

The boss confirmed that Alexis Sanchez is due to start his pre-season preparations this weekend after being given an extended break following his participation in the Copa America.

But even with the Chilean star keeping himself fit with some individual training on the beach, he’s still not going to be ready to play any part against Chelsea at Wembley.

Our attacking options are further diminished as Danny Welbeck will also miss out this weekend with the 24-year-old still struggling to overcome a knee injury that he picked up back in April.

Welbeck is expected to return to training in around 10 days time and may be in contention later in August, but he has no chance of playing in the Community Shield.

Wenger also gave an update on David Opsina and confirmed that he returned to pre-season training today so there’s a chance he might be involved on Sunday, but I suspect he’ll be on the bench at best with Cech set to face his former side.

Here’s what the boss told Arsenal.com earlier:

on the team news…

Ospina has just come back to training today. Alexis is coming back next weekend. Everybody else should be available apart from Welbeck.

on whether the squad are ready after a shorter pre-season…

The preparation was compact, short, but physically we are not far away.

With Sanchez and Welbeck both out, it gives a great chance to the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott to stake their claim for a first team spot. Both have impressed already in pre-season so let’s hope they can steer clear of injury and really push on this season.