The latest reports suggest that both Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere may be out for longer than expected.
The 30 year old German international was only originally ruled out due to an illness, but despite a long international break, he missed the game against Stoke City on Saturday. He is also set to miss the trip to Zagreb.
“I don’t think so,” Arsene Wenger said when asked if Mertesacker would play against Zagreb.
“He was in bed for 18 days – not tired, he had a chest infection. “It was a serious condition and he is not ready today to play.
“I believe the end of next week he should be much better. Every day he is getting stronger.
“He is training but when you are 18 days out with an infection, you start from zero. It was a viral thing.”
Thankfully for Arsenal, they have an in form Gabriel Paulista to take his place, and it looks like Mertesacker will have a real job on his hands to win his place back from the Brazilian when he returns to full fitness.
The other bad news is on Wilshere. He has had countless set back and now reports are emerging that he may need surgery. Wilshere will miss the next few weeks and if he needs surgery he will likely miss at least one more month. He is so injury prone, our recent article illustrates just how many injuries he has had recently.
Wilshere really needs a long run in the team, but with his current injury problems he literally has no chance. It’s sad to see his talent being wasted, England will be desperate for him to return to his best ahead of the European Championships next summer.
Did you see? Player Ratings: Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City