Wenger delivers latest Arsenal injury update after Stoke draw

Arsene Wenger is hoping that both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will be back available for Arsenal’s showdown with Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Ozil was left out of the Arsenal squad for Sunday’s trip to Stoke City due to a minor foot injury but is expected to be back in action when the north London side host Chelsea next weekend.

Mesut has an inflammation in his foot but it’s a very short-term problem

Arsene Wenger

Wenger also delivered the latest injury update on Alexis Sanchez, who is closing in on a return to action from the hamstring injury which has kept him out since late November.

The Frenchman explained that he preferred not to take a risk on Sanchez’s muscular injury but said he is due back in time to face Chelsea.

Quizzed about the duo’s fitness levels before the goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Wenger told Sky Sports: “Mesut has an inflammation in his foot but it’s a very short-term problem.

“He [Sanchez] was 95 per cent there but with a muscular problem I didn’t take the gamble because if he has a setback now [then] it’s three months [out].

“I think he is a few days away and so it was not worth the gamble.”

Then, speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Wenger confirmed that he expects to have both Sanchez and Ozil available for the clash with Chelsea.

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Sunday’s draw lifted Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table on goal difference from second-placed Leicester City.