Arsenal injury news: Jack Wilshere to miss rest of the year but Alexis Sanchez could return before Christmas
Wilshere has not played this season due to a broken leg and will not return until January at the earliest
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger hopes to have Alexis Sanchez back from his hamstring injury before Christmas, but he has ruled Jack Wilshere out of Arsenal’s festive period after admitting he will not return this year.
Sanchez limped out of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Norwich at the end of November having gone into the match at Carrow Road with doubts over his fitness, and he was initially ruled out until the end of December along with Santi Cazorla – whose ruptured knee ligament needed surgery and will keep him sidelined until March.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, Wenger revealed that the Chile international is making good progress, and hopes to have the influential forward back before Christmas, meaning he could play a role in Arsenal’s Monday night fixture against Manchester City on 21 December.
However, there was bad news over Wilshere’s possible return, with the midfielder yet to play this season due to t a broken leg he suffered in pre-season, and Wenger has ruled out a December return for the England international meaning that he will not play again in 2015.
After Wednesday’s Champions league triumph over Olympiakos – which saw the Gunners through to the last-16 for the 16th consecutive season – Wenger said: "We had no injuries after the game. [Mikel] Arteta and Sanchez will not be available, the rest back after Christmas."
On Wilshere’s return from a fractured fibula, Wenger admitted: "There is no chance he will be fit before end of December."
With Arteta and Sanchez in contention to return in 10 days’ time, Wenger is starting to see Arsenal’s severe injury troubles ease up. He may have all of his defensive options available, but the midfield department has been decimated by injuries this season.
Francis Coquelin suffered knee ligament damage last month and will not return until the end of February at the earliest, while the loss of Cazorla robs Wenger of his first-choice midfield pairing.
Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky, like Wilshere, have not played a minute of competitive football this campaign after suffering serious knee injuries at the back end of last season, and they are pencilled in for January returns at the earliest.
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