Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that the club could be without the services of both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey for this weekend’s League Cup final versus Manchester City.
The Gunners have limited resources for the Cup final with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Henrikh Mkhitaryan Cup-tied, and there could be further disappointment on the fitness front ahead of the Wembley showpiece.
Speaking prior to the second-leg of the Europa League round of 32 versus Ostersund, Wenger confirmed that both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey would not feature against the Swedish outfit.
Ozil has been down with illness over the past few days, and Wenger has revealed that the German won’t feature in the reverse leg, potentially making him a doubt to start versus City.
He said: “Mesut was sick until today, he was in bed on Monday and Tuesday. I would have played him, but he will not be involved tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Ramsey is set to miss his third game on the trot after a groin strain in training, and he is apparently a touch-and-go to make the matchday squad for Sunday.
Wenger added: “He is not in the squad tomorrow. He had a good training session but he’s a bit short. We’ll see how his evolution goes. I don’t rule him out yet, it depends how well he can improve his intensity.”
Initial suggestions were that Wenger may rest a couple more regulars with a view to the Cup final, but the changes are likely to be minimal with most of the reserve players from the first-half of the season, having parted ways for fresh challenges elsewhere.
Despite his shortcomings, Ozil has been the go-to man in the Gunners’ attack, and the club’s faithful will hope that he is deemed fit for the Cup final or else they may be a genuine lack of attacking threat.
As things stand, Wenger may opt for a 4-3-3 formation versus City with Ozil and Alex Iwobi playing behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the German’s absence may force him to push Wilshere into an attacking midfield role or feature the recently-turned Danny Welbeck.
