Arsenal injury list: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to return for Norwich but game too soon for Theo Walcott

The Gunners are in the mist of an injury crisis in midfield

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return against Norwich City (PA)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return from a hamstring injury for Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Norwich City on Sunday, but the game will come too soon for Theo Walcott, who has a calf injury.

Both players picked up the injuries in the 3-0 League Cup defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on 27 October.

Walcott is expected to return against Sunderland on 5 December.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has the same squad available to him as the one which beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 on Tuesday night to keep alive their hopes of Champions League qualification. It was reported this week that Alexis Sanchez would be rested, but Wenger says it is “not the right time” at the moment.

“We should have everyone available [from the Dinamo Zagreb game], the players that played on Tuesday night plus maybe Oxlade-Chamberlain should be back in the squad,” Wenger said this week.

“I will assess that [resting Sanchez] later. It might not be the right time to rest him.”

Arsenal are in the midst of an injury crisis in midfield, with Mikel Arteta and Francis Coquelin both out. Coquelin will be sidelined for at least three months with knee ligament damage.

"Arteta is short term but Coquelin as I told you is much longer but the scans are positive because he does not need any surgery, but it will be 12 weeks,” Wenger explained.