Arsenal Injury Update Post-International Break

Before the international break started, Arsenal had a week or so of fixtures where their squad was depleted by injuries to the point of near disaster. Hector Bellerin, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez are now all not fully fit ahead of Saturday’s clash with West Bromwich Albion. Those five players make up the entire right side of Arsenal’s attacking threat. So team selection is one thing sure to be on Arsene Wenger’s mind. Here’s the post-international break injury update.

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Alexis Sanchez: Arsenal’s star Chilean winger was in good form prior to the most recent international break. Although Arsene Wenger did mention that he ‘needed a rest’ and that his fitness over the course of such a packed fixture list needed to be monitored.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli mentioned in a press conference that Sanchez had “a pain in his calf” (per Sky Sports), and that he would not play a full match against Uruguay in order to preserve his match fitness.

Sampaoli likely received a call from Mr. Wenger before that moment, which could mean that Sanchez will not start the game against West Brom. Such a strategy makes sense considering the must-win nature of Arsenal’s game against Dinamo Zagreb. It is touch-and-go for now.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: The Ox’s last appearance was in a 3-0 loss against Sheffield Wednesday where he failed to impress. The Englishman has entered Arsenal’s echelon of players who need to step up in order to earn a first team spot. His expedient return to match fitness is vital if he wants to progress as a player this season. Arsene Wenger said two weeks ago that he “could be back” after the international break that just past.

Aaron Ramsey: The Welsh midfielder is also likely to be back after the international break, according to Wenger’s press conference ahead of Arsenal’s second game against Bayern Munich (per Arsenal Team News). Ramsey has been out since October 20th, which makes him the player longest on the injury list who has made an appearance this season.

While Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin have been playing excellently together, they need rotation in order to stay fit. Cazorla was visibly fatigued in the most recent North London derby and he was taken advantage of by much more energetic midfielders in Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen. Ramsey will be a big help for the Gunners when he returns to 100% fitness, and his Spanish team mate will be grateful to have his workload relieved.

Hector Bellerin: Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin has been the outstanding Premier League right-back this season, and will be a team of the season contender if he keeps this form up when he returns. Bellerin was rested for a week after playing a part in the 3-0 victory over Swansea on October 31.

His replacement, Mathieu Debuchy, played well when he got his opportunity, but the French defender does not carry the same attacking threat as Bellerin, and his pace is nowhere near that of the 20-year-old’s. When Bellerin is in the team, the right-sided attacking midfielders are allowed freedom to cut inside and provide Bellerin space to run into for overlapping passes. The combination of his return from injury and the return of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott will revitalize the squad.

Theo Walcott: Arsene Wenger he said that Theo Walcott would be out for “a fraction longer” than Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Therefore Walcott will also be back shortly, either this weekend or the weekend after against Norwich City on November 29.

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Walcott has not only been one of the main goal scorers this season for Arsenal, but a main contributor to the new-found speed in the Gunners’ attack. Mesut Ozil’s form has been stellar in the 2015-16 campaign, and the presence of quick off-ball running has been crucial to that. If Walcott gets back up to full speed and he can stay there, Arsenal fans will be far less worried about their team’s attacking prowess.

Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere: Both Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere will likely be out for 4+ weeks and may not return until 2016, according to Arsene Wenger.