Arsenal v Fulham: Aaron Ramsey left out of Gunners squad as he remains sidelined with thigh injury

Ramsey has not played since the Boxing Day victory over West Ham

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey goes down injured with a thigh strain in win at West Ham. (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal will once again be without influential midfielder Aaron Ramsey for their Premier League match against Fulham, with Arsene Wenger choosing not to select the Welshman as he continues his recovery from a thigh strain.

Ramsey has not played since the Boxing Day victory over West Ham, meaning he will have been out of action for a month when he could make his possible return in the FA Cup fourth round against Coventry City next Friday night.

Ramsey took to Twitter to wish his teammates good luck ahead of the match at the Emirates Stadium, while he also said he hopes to make a return to action soon.

“Can't wait to get back out there, hopefully not too long now. Good luck to the Arsenal today!! #AFC” wrote Ramsey.

Wenger had stressed that he does not want to rush Ramsey back following his injury, having been the Gunners’ star player so far this season.

Ramsey has been in tremendous form this season, leading the club’s scoring charts after netting 13 times in all competitions – with eight of those coming in the league – and he is a key reason why Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table.

Having been a "big doubt" on Friday though, Nacho Monreal makes the starting line-up, keeping Kieran Gibbs on the bench as he continues his comeback from a calf injury. Monreal suffered a foot injury in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa last Monday, but fears that he broke a metatarsal were soon dismissed as Wenger confirmed he had twisted a ligament.

Mikel Arteta remains sidelined with a calf injury of his own, while Tomas Rosicky, who has surgery on a broken nose suffered in the Villa win, takes his place on the bench after Wenger confirmed he will wear a protective mask should he come on.