Koscielny boost for Arsenal, Sanchez uncertainty
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| AFP |
Laurent Koscielny could be fit to play this weekend, but Arsenal do not know how long they will be without star attacker Alexis Sanchez.
Koscielny and Sanchez both limped off in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Norwich City, the former with a hip injury, the latter with a hamstring problem, while midfielder Santi Cazorla suffered a blow to his knee.
Arsenal have not yet established the likely durations of Sanchez and Cazorla's absences, but Wenger is hopeful that Koscielny will be able to line up in Saturday's home game with Sunderland.
"We will make a decision on Saturday on Koscielny and [Theo] Walcott. They could both make the squad. [Kieran] Gibbs is available again for the weekend," Wenger said in comments published on the Arsenal website. "At the moment on Alexis, Santi and Mikel, we don't know how long they will be out for."
Forward Walcott, left-back Gibbs and central midfielder Arteta have all recently been sidelined by calf injuries.
Arsenal are fourth in the Premier League table, two points below leaders Manchester City, but Wenger finds himself in the grip of an injury glut.
Midfielders Jack Wilshere (broken leg), Francis Coquelin (knee), Tomas Rosicky (knee) and striker Danny Welbeck (knee) are all currently unavailable.