Wilshere expects swift Arsenal return after playing down injury concerns
The England midfielder limped off during the second half of the Gunners’ goalless draw at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup
Jack Wilshere expects to make a swift return to the Arsenal team after banishing any concerns over his ankle worry.
The midfielder, captain for the night, went off in the second half of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
He suffered an ankle sprain when making a block, and the setback made him a doubt for Sunday’s Premier League match with Bournemouth, where he spent last season on loan. But Wilshere believes he will soon be back in action, writing on Twitter:
It remains to be seen whether Wilshere is considered for the Bournemouth game but there seems little danger of him being sidelined by the time Crystal Palace visit the Emirates Stadium on January 20.
After the goalless draw at Stamford Bridge, defender Rob Holding is optimistic Arsenal can progress to the final. Nottingham Forest inflicted the first FA Cup third-round loss in Arsene Wenger’s 21 years as Arsenal boss last Sunday, ending the Gunners’ trophy defence.
And that result placed additional significance on the trip to Chelsea, where Arsenal dug in to give themselves a healthy platform ahead of their January 24 home leg.
“I think it’s a good result for us to take back to the Emirates in the second leg, where we can hopefully nick a goal and get the win and into the final,” Holding told Arsenal Player.
“We had a point to prove here. We came under some scrutiny with our defensive display in the (Forest) game, so it was big for me to just get a clean sheet and have a solid game really.
“We knew we couldn’t (afford to) lose. A draw is a great result to take back in front of our home fans and hopefully we can get the win there.”
Alexis Sanchez started on the substitutes’ bench, prompting further speculation over his future, with his contract expiring this summer and Manchester City apparently interested in recruiting him. Manchester United are also reportedly keen.
Sitting alongside the Chile forward was Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, the 20-year-old signed last week from PAS Giannina. Wenger’s initial intention had been to loan out Mavropanos, but he has changed his mind.
“I personally want to keep him until May, to know him better, to assess his level,” the Frenchman said. “The first signs he has shown in training are so encouraging that I decided to keep him until May.”
