Don't Miss

Arsenal handed major injury boost but duo remain out

By mac14 on December 29, 2016

Arsenal have been handed a huge boost after Shkodran Mustafi returned to full training yesterday but Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still out.

Mustafi has sat out our last three games after suffering a hamstring injury during our win over Stoke earlier this month and the German international was sorely missed during the defeats away to Everton and Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger was initially hopeful the centre-back would be available again in the New Year and it looks as though that was a realistic aim as Mustafi was able to resume full training at London Colney on Wednesday.

The boss will no doubt provide an update at his press conference tomorrow but it looks as though Shkodran could be back in contention to face Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day.

Gabriel has done well enough alongside Laurent Koscielny in his absence but there is no doubt that Mustafi’s return to fitness will come as a major boost so let’s hope he’s able to take on Palace or worst case be available for the Bournemouth game two days later.

However, there isn’t such positive news regarding the fitness of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain as the wingers were both still unable to join in with the rest of the first team squad at training yesterday.

Walcott is nursing a minor calf injury while The Ox picked up a hamstring problem against City and although neither injury is thought to be serious, it looks as though they’re running out of time to be fit for the Palace game on Sunday.

As we reported yesterday, Danny Welbeck is back in full fitness after recovering from a serious knee injury but the attacker isn’t expected to be in contention for a place in the squad until next month.

Here is what injury analyst Ben Dinnery revealed last night:

Mustafi and Akpom have returned to full training, along with Danny Welbeck. But Walcott and Ox-Chamberlain were NOT with the main group #AFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) December 28, 2016