Latest Arsenal injury update ahead of West Brom clash

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a suspected hamstring injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday. 

After being pitted against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16, the Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Everton at Goodison Park last Tuesday, before they were once again pegged back from a winning position to lose by the same scoreline to Manchester City at The Etihad. 

Wenger’s men were punished for a below-par display in the second half against Pep Guardiola’s men after dominating the game for long spells in the first half. 

And matters were made worse for Arsenal when Oxlade-Chamberlain had to be substituted with a suspected muscular strain after only being brought on moments before. 

Asked about the severity of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s injury, Wenger told his post-match news conference at The Etihad on Sunday: “He’s injured. It looks like a hamstring – it’s a muscular problem.” 

There are a number of other Arsenal players currently sidelined as the Gunners continue their preparations for their home clash against West Brom on Boxing Day. 

Arsenal will be hoping to welcome Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker back into the fold in the coming weeks after the pair returned to training following long-term lay-offs due to injury. 

Shkodran Mustafi has been a big miss for the north London side in recent games after the summer signing picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Stoke in the Premier League. 

The defender was rated as needing at least three weeks to recover from the problem, which he suffered back on 10 December. 

Arsenal fans will also need no reminding of the void left by Santi Cazorla’s long-term absence from the side. 

The Spanish playmaker has been out with an ankle injury and recently required surgery to correct the problem. 

The midfielder won’t be available again until the new year. Aaron Ramsey has also been missing with a minor toe problem but is expected to be available for selection again soon. 

All in all, the Arsenal injury list does not make particularly pleasant reading for Gunners fans as the hectic festive schedule looms large.