Mesut Ozil is unavailable due to a short-term knee injury as Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates on Sunday.
Arsenal will look to continue a promising run of form since the start of September when they play hosts to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates on Sunday. But, Arsene Wenger has few fresh roster issues on his hands ahead of the visit of the Seagulls.
In fact, the Arsenal boss could be deprived of as many as seven first-team players heading into the match on Sunday, with Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny the latest players to make their way to the treatment table.
Ozil will be unavailable this weekend due to a continued problem with inflammation in his knee. But, the problem is not a major concern, with Arsene Wenger informing in his pre-match press conference that it is only a short-term injury.
Wenger: “Mesut Ozil will not be available for Sunday [vs. Brighton]. [It’s] very short-term. He’s not far, but he is not enough for Sunday.” pic.twitter.com/iEGz3Y65Ea
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 30, 2017
Wenger also confirmed that Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Danny Welbeck (groin) continue to remain sidelined due to their respective injuries. But, Alex Iwobi could be available as he continues recovering from a minor knee injury. Calum Chambers (hip) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles) are the other absentees.
“Mesut Ozil will not be available for Sunday. [The injury is] very short-term. He is not far, but he is not enough for Sunday. Alex Iwobi might be available for Sunday, of course Coquelin and Welbeck are not available.”
Meanwhile, Wenger is sweating over the fitness of Koscielny, who is a major doubt due to an Achilles injury and will face a late fitness test to determine his availability. But, Sead Kolasinac is available for selection after overcoming a minor unspecified problem.
“We have a doubt about Laurent Koscielny unfortunately and he will have a test tomorrow. It’s an achilles problem, it’s ongoing. I think everybody else should be available. Sead Kolasinac had some problems, but he is available. That’s basically it.”
Meanwhile, Brighton manager has a few pressing roster issues as well. The major absentee is joint-top scorer Tomer Hemed who will serve the first of his three-match ban on Sunday. Sam Baldock (calf), Steve Sidwell (back) and Beram Kayal (leg) are the other short-term absentees.
