Arsenal will host the Premier League champions Manchester City for the league clash at the Emirates on Saturday.
Reports started to surface earlier this week that the Gunners’ star player Aaron Ramsey could be doubtful for Arsenal’s first big game of the season this weekend.
The 23-year-old picked up an ankle injury while on international duty during Wales’ 2-1 victory over Andorra. In the dying moments of the match, the Gunners man was substituted by his coach Chris Coleman. However, Ramsey has played down any injury worries.
“I’ll be alright – the pitch was very hard. There’s no give in it so I rolled my ankle a bit,” Ramsey told BBC.
“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.”
Ramsey was Arsenal’s star player last season. The Welshman helped the North London club end their nine-year long trophy drought by scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Hull City.
Wenger has also been without the injured midfielder Mikel Arteta, forward Theo Walcott and defender Kieran Gibbs. The former Everton man picked up an ankle injury last month, while the full-back pulled his hamstring during the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace.
According to The Mirror, Arteta and Gibbs are likely to be fit to face Manuel Pellegrini’s side on Saturday. The Gunners skipper and Gibbs are reportedly set to make his comeback from injury, it will give Wenger options during the team selection.
With Ramsey playing down injury concerns and the likely return of Arteta and Gibbs could give Wenger a massive boost ahead of the weekend fixture.
Meanwhile, Nacho Monreal started in Gibbs’ absence at left-back and he has excelled in that position. Should the English defender make himself available for City clash, it would be a tough task for Arsenal boss in deciding his left-back for the weekend.
The Spanish defender’s impressive performance so far in the left-back position could see Wenger continue with Monreal for City clash even if Gibbs is completely fit. Should this happen, the situation will only improve competition in the squad, which is likely to benefit the Emirates club as the season progress.
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