Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has provided a positive injury update ahead of his side’s Premier League clash at Watford on Saturday.
The Gunners are presently just outside the Champions League places in the fifth spot, trailing London rivals Chelsea only on goal difference.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Watford clash, Wenger revealed some good news on the injury front with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Sead Kolasinac in line to the matchday squad.
Both Welbeck and Ozil were down with groin and knee injuries respectively prior to the international break, but the pair have since made a recovery to resume normal training with their teammates.
Wenger said:
“Ozil and Welbeck are back in the group in normal training. He[Welbeck] is available for selection again. He is a bit quicker than expected.”
Meanwhile, Sead Kolasinac was substituted at half-time versus Estonia in midweek with an apparent hip problem, but the gaffer has allayed the fears by suggesting that the problem is minor, and the signs are positive for the weekend game.
“He had a little hip problem but overall I haven’t seen him yet. I will make a check up this morning, but the news we have on him is quite positive,” Wenger added.
Laurent Koscielny has been another injury worry of late with a recurrent Achilles problem, and Wenger confirmed that the centre-back will have a late fitness test, have recently stepped up individual training.
Despite the positives, Shkodran Mustafi is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks after he sustained a thigh injury on international duty with Germany.
Alexis Sanchez is another doubt with more of his mental condition rather than his fitness. The Chilean is likely to be assessed prior to the Hornets clash to determine whether he is in the right frame of mind.
The 28-year-old faced a massive disappointment in midweek after Chile failed to qualify for next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
