Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sidelined ‘for a few weeks’

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be sidelined “for a few weeks”, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed. The England international injured a knee in a challenge with Javier Mascherano in the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat at home to Barcelona on Tuesday and was replaced by Theo Walcott five minutes into the second half.

And Wenger admitted at his media conference ahead of the Super Sunday clash at Manchester United the injury is more of a concern than at first realised.

“His injury is quite serious and keeps him out for a few weeks,” said Wenger. “He is seeing a specialist at the moment and hopefully we will have good news. He is out for a few weeks, for how long exactly I don’t know.”

When asked if the player’s injury setback could affect his chances of making Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2016, Wenger added: “I don’t know but I am cautious.

“It’s a new injury. When he has been cut in two by Mascherano, he did his knee. We have to see how big the damage is and we’ll see more later. I don’t think it was a malicious tackle, it was fully committed. Let’s hope we have good news that it is only two or three weeks, not six or seven.”

Striker Danny Welbeck has featured in the Gunners’ last three matches after 10 months out following knee surgery but Wenger would not confirm him as a starter against his former club.

Source: SkySports