Arsene Wenger says Santi Cazorla is a doubt for Arsenal’s clash against Middlesbrough and admits Aaron Ramsey is still a week away from returning to Premier League action after injury.
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Matchday:
Match: Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Kick-Off (GMT): Sat 22 Octo 15.00
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Cazorla received a knock that forced him off in the second half of the win over Ludogorets on Wednesday although he has admitted he is hopeful of being fit in time for the Middlesbrough game.
Wenger says the Spaniard will be scanned today and could join Granit Xhaka, who is suspended, on the sidelines against Aitor Karanka’s men.
Elsewhere Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are also set to miss the game, although Giroud could return for Tuesday’s EFL fourth round tie against Reading, and Ramsey for next weekend’s trip to the Stadium of Light.
“From Wednesday night we have no big problems, the only uncertainty is Santi Cazorla so we will see,” Wenger told a pre-match press conference.
“Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are progressing well. Giroud could be available on Tuesday.
“Aaron Ramsey is progressing well, fitness wise he is 90% there. His potential return is not against Reading, maybe Sunderland. We want him to be 100% fit before we bring him back.
“Danny Welbeck is ahead of schedule and could be back in January. It can take two months of work to get back to full competition. He will be starting running in two weeks.”
With no fresh injuries and with Arsenal in top form they will be big favourites to claim their eighth straight win against Middlesbrough who lie just four points off the bottom and withouth a win since August.