Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has offered an injury update ahead of Wednesday night’s League Cup semi-final first-leg versus Chelsea.
The Gunners bowed out of the FA Cup after a surprise 4-2 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, and Wenger has now delivered a fitness update on his players which does not look promising.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Gunners boss confirmed that the likes of Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, and Laurent Koscielny are unlikely to play a part versus the Blues, whilst Santi Cazorla remains a long-term absentee with his recurring Achilles problem.
Meanwhile, the French tactician offered an update on both Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi, but the comments were not promising with both likely to have a late fitness test ahead of the game.
Wenger said on Xhaka: “He has a test today. We’ll see how he comes through that.”
And continuing with Mustafi, he added:
“Mustafi will also have a test today. I don’t know exactly how available they will be. I will know more after training.”
With the FA Cup out of the picture, the League Cup remains probably the most realistic chance of attaining silverware, though Chelsea and Manchester City could come in the Gunners’ way.
Wenger has not guided the Gunners to League Cup success in his two-decade long stay, but he will expect a strong response from his squad when they face Blues at Stamford Bridge.
The away-goal remains a key criteria heading into the two-legged tie, and finding the scoresheet will be of prime importance in west London, though the defence needs to improve big time after the shambles at City Ground.
Let’s hope Arsenal will return to winning ways!
