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Arsenal injury news: Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny expected to feature in Sunderland clash - but no Alexis Sanchez or Santi Cazorla

The Gunners are in the midst of an injury crisis

Friday 04 December 2015 14:31 GMT

Theo Walcott pictured during Arsenal training

Theo Walcott and Laurent Koscielny could be available for Arsenal in their Premier League game against Sunderland this weekend, Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The Gunners currently have 10 players out injured.

"The players injured in the last two weeks will not play tomorrow and who is back maybe in the squad could be Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott. That will be a decision tomorrow morning," Wenger said today.

The news is not good for fellow absentees Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez, however. Cazorla suffered knee ligament damage in the Gunners' last match, the 1-1 draw with Norwich City, and could be out for three months. It is not yet known how long Sanchez will be out for with his hamstring injury.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Show all 10

1/10Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Laurent Koscielny (hip, could return this weekend)

What it means: Brazilian centre-back Gabriel will come in as his replacement, forging a makeshift partnership with Per Mertesacker.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Alexis Sanchez (hamstring, late December)

What it means: Joel Campbell will get a prolonged run in the team. But the goals may well dry up.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Santi Cazorla (knee ligament injury, March 2016)

What it means: With Coquelin and Wilshere also out, Mathieu Flamini will get more playing time and Aaron Ramsey will go into the other central position. It is also possible Callum Chambers may have to go into the defensive midfield position.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Kieran Gibbs (calf, could return this weekend)

What it means: Nacho Monreal, who has played every minute of Premier League football this season, will keep on at left-back.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Mikel Arteta (calf, set to return mid-December)

What it means: Arsenal's captain will not be able cover in midfield.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Francis Coquelin (knee ligament injury, February 2016)

What it means: With Cazorla and Wilshere also out, Mathieu Flamini will get more playing time and Aaron Ramsey will go into the other central position.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Theo Walcott (calf, mid-December)

What it means: Olivier Giroud gets an extended run as the club's lone attacker, despite manager Arsene Wenger saying earlier in the season Walcott was his first choice.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Jack Wilshere (calf, late December)

What it means: England midfielder will not yet be able to reclaim his spot in Arsenal's threadbare midfield.

2015 Getty Images

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Tomas Rosicky (knee, January 2016)

What it means: The Gunners are without an impact substitute, and the injury casts further doubt over his Arsenal future. The 35-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season.

Arsenal's injury list - what does it mean?

Danny Welbeck (knee, January 2016)

What it means: Only Giroud is available to lead the line, and he also cannot cover for Sanchez on the left wing.

2015 Getty Images

"I don’t know, honestly. Alexis is a hamstring [injury] but I don’t know how long it will take, it is usually a quick one to recover. Cazorla we don’t know until he sees a specialist. There is no news on that."

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