Arsenal handed EFL Cup final boost with Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey both available for selection

Ozil has missed the last eight days with illness while Ramsey has been out for three weeks after suffering a groin injury while scoring a hat-trick against Everton

Jack Pitt-Brooke
Friday 23 February 2018 06:33 EST
Comments
Arsene Wenger has been handed a boost
Arsene Wenger has been handed a boost (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final preparations have been boosted by the news that Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey are both likely to be able to face Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday.

Ozil has missed the last eight days with illness while Ramsey has been out for three weeks after suffering a groin injury while scoring a hat-trick against Everton. But Wenger, speaking at his Friday morning press conference, sounded optimistic about both of them returning for Sunday’s game.

Ozil returned to training on Thursday and should be ready to play. He will be especially important given that Arsenal’s other creative player, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is suspended. “I will see Ozil this morning,” Wenger said.

“He had a good session yesterday, that he absorbed well. So we have to see how he responds to it today. But I think he will be alright. You want all your best players available and of course, he is an important player for us.”

Ramsey returned to training on Wednesday, and with three days of work under his belt, Wenger will make a late decision on including the Wales midfielder for the game. “I have to make a decision on Aaron Ramsey on Saturday,” Wenger said. “He looks OK, but we will know more about it tomorrow.”

Arsenal will have to assess Alex Iwobi today after the Nigerian midfielder appearaed to cramp up at the end of Thursday night’s Europa League match. Other senior first-teamers, like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny are likely to come into the side.

“I left a few players out last night,” Wenger said, “so the team will be different.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in