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Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom will be available for north London derby against Tottenham, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms

But the next two matches will be too soon for the midfield pair

James Orr
Friday 07 March 2014 13:11 GMT
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Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey goes down injured with a thigh strain in win at West Ham on Boxing Day
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey goes down injured with a thigh strain in win at West Ham on Boxing Day

While Jack Wilshere will be out for at least two months after suffered a hairline fracture to his left foot on international duty, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that there are some positives on the injury front for Arsenal - Aaron Ramsey and Kim Kallstrom will both be available for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday.

Ramsey, the Gunners' best player this season, has been out of action since Boxing Day after going down with a thigh injury in the Gunners' 3-1 victory at West Ham, he later suffered a setback in training. Kallstrom, on the other hand, was signed on loan to deputise for Ramsey, but has yet to play for the club after it emerged he had a microfracture in his back.

Wenger previously conceded that he knew of the 31-year-old Swede's injury before he joined, but he had no alternative but to complete the deal, because it was too late to find any fit midfielders in time.

The Gunners' boss conceded that the next two matches, against Everton in the FA Cup sixth round on Saturday, and the Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday will come too soon for the pair, but they should both be ready for the Premier League match at White Hart Lane on 16 March.

"Aaron Ramsey is one week away," Wenger said. "I think the next two games are coming too soon for him but for the weekend after [against Tottenham] he should be available. Kallstrom as well."

Wenger also revealed that the club are "very close" to agreeing new contracts for Ramsey and Santi Cazorla. Ramsey has reportedly close to a £100,000 deal, doubling his salary and making him the second-highest paid player at Arsenal.

"We are very close [to agreeing the deal]," Wenger said. "We will announce as soon as we are over the line."

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