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Arsenal’s preliminary 25-man US Tour squad: Sanchez & Ozil left out

By on July 23, 2016

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Arsenal have announced their preliminary squad for the upcoming pre-season tour of the United States and as expected their as some big-name omissions.

Alexis Sanchez won’t travel as he continues to recover from an ankle injury that he picked up in the Copa America final. Arsene Wenger says the injury isn’t serious but he want’s to give the Chilean international time to fully recover.

The boss will also be without the players who made the final stages of the European Championships meaning Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil will all be left behind.

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny isn’t included which is a clear sign he’s set to complete his move back to Roma but the likes of Mathieu Debuchy and Joel Campbell will travel to the US despite rumours they could be leaving the club this summer.

Takuma Asano isn’t involved as he’s due to play for Japan at the Olympics, however, new signings Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding are included and they’ll be looking to get to know their new team mates over the coming weeks ahead of the new season.

Injuries or transfers could change the squad at any minute, but as it stands the 25 players heading to America next week are:

Goalkeepers

Petr Cech, David Ospina, Emi Martinez

Defenders

Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy, Gabriel, Kieran Gibbs, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal, Krystian Bielik, Rob Holding

Midfielders

Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Chris Willock, Jack Wilshere, Granit Xhaka, Gedion Zelalem

Forwards

Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi, Chuba Akpom, Joel Campbell

We kick off the US tour against an MLS All-Star XI in California on Thursday before playing Chivas de Guadalajara at the StubHub Center in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Obviously we’re missing a number of key players but our squad is still looking a couple of top class players short of competing for the title next season. Chelsea, United and City are all strengthening so it’s no wonder that the latest Premier League odds have us as fourth favourites to win the Premier League.

Sadly I fear that we’ll be battling for the top four if Wenger doesn’t open the chequebook and bring in a new central defender and world class striker over the coming weeks.