Arsene Wenger reveals more injury agony as Lucas Perez joins Francis Coquelin on the casualty list after damaging draw with Bournemouth
The Gunners travel to Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday with an injury-ravaged squad with Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott also missing
ARSENE WENGER has more injury problems ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Preston on Saturday with Lucas Perez hit with an ankle problem and Francis Coquelin out for a month.
Summer signing, Perez, was sent on for the final 27 minutes of the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, scoring his side’s first goal as the mounted an incredible comeback after going three goals behind.
But he picked up an ankle injury toward the end of the Premier League thriller and will now miss Arsenal‘s trip to the play the Championship side.
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And French midfielder Coquelin picked up a hamstring problem just 28 minutes into the draw with Eddie Howe’s men
On top of that, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla will not be back in time for the weekend.
But Gunners striker Danny Welbeck is in line to make his return to the first team after a lengthy lay off with a knee problem.
Wenger said: “We might have a problem with Perez, he injured his ankle. Coming back – closest is Walcott but not ready.”
“He is out for three or four weeks now. Hamstring.
“We will play with 90% of the squad. I will rest Koscielny, of course Ospina will play. Maybe Sanchez I will rest as well.
“Ozil is coming in today and will be assessed by the doctor. He has been in bed for two weeks, can’t imagine I will involve him.”