Arsenal were handed a timely boost ahead of a crucial week where they face Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the Premier League and Champions League as midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Özil have recovered from their ankle injuries and look set to feature in the upcoming games.
Wales faced off against Andorra on an artificial pitch that was later slammed by captain Gareth Bale and manager Chris Coleman. Ramsey appeared to have twisted his ankle but later revealed that it’s nothing to be worried about, “I’ll be alright – the pitch was very hard. There’s no give in it so I rolled my ankle a bit.
“Hopefully it will be nothing and I’ll be available for Saturday. These are the games you want to play in and I’m looking forward to it.”
However, Arsene Wenger during his pre-match press conference, revealed that Ramsey will be assessed and the news will be confirmed later in the day.
“The first news is not bad. He will be assessed today and he has a little chance to be available for Saturday. He had an ankle sprain but it’s a minor one that’s for sure. Will it be enough to be available for Saturday? We’ll know today.”
Mesut Özil returned to training after sitting out Germany’s European Championship qualifying victory over Scotland this past Sunday. The German picked up a knock on his ankle against Leicester and was subsequently taken off in the last few minutes. The 25-year old, who joined the club for £42.4m last summer, had a good first half last season but failed to replicate the form in the second half mainly due to injuries. He scored 7 goals and assisted 14 times in his 42 appearances for the club last season. His return to fitness on time before the City clash would be a major boost for the Gunners.
Elsewhere, club captain Mikel Arteta too has shaken off the ankle problem suffered in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Turkish side Besiktas and he could feature against Manchester City.
Arsenal have picked up five points from the first three games and unlike Manchester City, are unbeaten. The game on Saturday will be a rematch of the Community Shield game that Arsenal comfortably won 3-0. However, Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City start as slight favourites despite losing their last encounter against Stoke City in the League.