Arsene Wenger has admitted he could be without Santi Cazorla for today’s clash with Middlesbrough.
The Spaniard has featured in all but one of Arsenal’s games this season, contributing with two goals and three assists in 11 outings.
But Wenger has admitted Cazorla could miss out against Middlesbrough after picking up a knock in Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Ludogorets on Wednesday.
Cazorla faces a late fitness test ahead of Saturday’s home game against Middlesbrough while Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey could return next week, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
The Gunners are definitely without suspended midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland star was shown a straight red in Saturday’s 3-2 win at home against Swansea for his challenge on Modou Barrow.
“From Wednesday night it looks like we have no big problems,” Wenger said. “The only uncertainty I have is Santi Cazorla who got a kick.
“We’ll see how he is today and nobody coming back. Of course, we lose Xhaka because he’s suspended. Everybody else should be available.”
Going forward, no one looks too certain on if the Spaniard will be fully ready to go against Boro and, quite honestly, he shouldn’t be risked anyway. Keeping Cazorla off the pitch will give the Gunners several fantastic opportunities.
First of all, it will give them a chance to taste-test life without Cazorla. As he gets older, it is only reasonable that we should start planning ahead for life without him.
As he is a mainstay, this potential absence will give us a good opportunity to judge how this team adjusts without their sneaky little midfielder at the base.
Secondly, it will give Francis Coquelin a follow-up chance to be the conductor of this offense. He was simply stunning against Ludogorets, but no one is going to take you seriously if you only do that kind of thing to Ludogorets.
Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, it will hand a rare chance to Mohamed Elneny a rare chance to prove him at the top tier of club football. He is always going to be fourth or fifth in line depending on his teammates’ availability, so to actually have a chance to prove that he can go the full 90, contribute to both ends of the ball and not look like he’s missed a beat, it’s a rare opportunity that won’t come around often.
Giroud and Ramsey remain sidelined but both are nearing a return with the France striker likely to come back first, Wenger said.
“They are progressing well,” he added. “Olivier Giroud could maybe be involved on Tuesday [against Reading in the EFL Cup], but Aaron certainly will need one more week sharpening up. He could be available [next weekend]. Fitness-wise, he is 90 percent there.”
Danny Welbeck’s return from knee surgery also remains ahead of schedule, with the forward likely to start running again in about two weeks. Wenger said he could be back playing in January.
Giroud has struggled with a toe injury since last month, while Ramsey has not played since injuring his hamstring on the opening day of the season.
Arsenal host Middlesbrough looking to continue their 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions and will move top of the Premier League with a win.