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Team News: Wenger On Wilshere, Ramsey, Bellerin, The Ox & Flamini

By on February 19, 2015

Arsene Wenger has given a team news update ahead of Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately, the boss confirmed that Hector Bellerin and Mathieu Flamini are both doubts after picking up knocks this week.

Bellerin has an ankle problem while Flamini is nursing a tight hamstring and the duo will be handed late fitness tests on Friday to see if they’ll be fit to face Palace.

Aaron Ramsey remains out as he’s just nine days into his three weeks rehab for a hamstring injury so the Welshman joins Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Debuchy on the sidelines.

The good news is that it looks like Jack Wilshere is going to be in contention for a place int he squad this weekend. Jack was close to returning last week against Middlesbrough but Arsene wanted to give him another full weeks training and when asked for an update today, the boss simply said the midfield was ‘fine’.

There was positive news on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain too as he returned to full training today after three weeks out with a groin injury, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be available on Saturday or given more time to recover.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on the team news…

Ramsey is still out. The two other injuries are Arteta and Debuchy. Apart from that we have some uncertainties about Flamini and Bellerin – they are doubtful for Saturday. Everybody else is OK.

on the doubts…

Bellerin is his ankle and Flamini has a tight hamstring. We’ll see. We’ll have tests tomorrow [Friday].

on Ramsey…

He is nine days into his three-week rehab.

on Wilshere…

Jack is fine.

on Oxlade-Chamberlain…

He is close. He will join in normal training today.

If Bellerin fails his test then we should expect Calum Chambers to continue at right-back. The potential loss of Flamini shouldn’t make too much difference as Coquelin is likely to start in the holding role anyway.

It would be great if Jack can get some minutes under his belt in the second half and then he may even put himself in contention to start against Monaco on Wednesday night.