Arsenal round-up: Double injury boost ahead of Liverpool; British trio could leave this summer

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Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend with a trip to top six rivals Liverpool. They have the opportunity to put some distance between themselves and Jurgen Klopp’s team, something that the supporters will be desperate for. However, a defeat at Anfield will see them drop below the Reds in the table. They could be boosted by the returns of Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny after both returned to first team training this week.

This is great news as it provides Arsene Wenger with two more options ahead of what is one of their biggest matches of the season. The return of Koscielny is more important as he is one of the best centre backs in the league and Arsenal are a much better team with him on the pitch. It isn’t a surprise that the Gunners collapsed against Bayern Munich after the Frenchman was substituted due to injury. The scheduling has been kind to them as he has only been forced to miss one game and that was against non-league Sutton United. Meanwhile, Ramsey provides another option in central midfield and one that is more attack-minded. However, he is less important to the side than Koscielny and as such, he may not be rushed back.

The Evening Standard reports that Arsenal could risk losing their English core this summer as the club are yet to open contract negotiations with Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Kieran Gibbs. They all have less than 18 months left on their current deals and there have been no steps made by the club to extend them. The uncertainness surrounding Wenger’s own future will mean that it is difficult to enter into talks with any player, as they may not be wanted by the next manager.

It is crucial that the club start to make plans for next season, as they currently risk losing a significant number of players if they continue to delay. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are in a similar position and the longer that talks are delayed, the bigger chance there is of all of these players leaving the club. Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain are the two English players that will be worrying supporters more, as they both clearly have something to offer. The former has managed to work on his fitness during his loan spell, while the latter has been one of Arsenal’s better players this season.

The Gunners have a superb record of finishing above their local rivals Tottenham and they will be hoping that they can manage to do so again this season. Spurs are currently three points ahead of Arsenal as they attempt to finish as the best side in North London for the first time since 1995. They certainly look more stable than Arsene Wenger’s side at the moment and Bob Wilson believes that this could be the year that Tottenham finish on top.

“I think it’s very feasible. I think I can just about bare one year in 20 for Spurs to finish ahead of Arsenal. I’m sort of preparing myself for that.”

This is going to be the narrative that engulfs North London as we approach the run in. Neither side have a realistic chance of the title and their main focus will be finishing in the top four. The top six has been tight this season and it could be a fight between the two clubs to finish in the Champions League places. Arsenal have the experience and the dramatic nature in how Spurs managed to give up second place to their rivals last season suggests that they struggle when the pressure cranks up. It will be interesting and if Arsenal don’t finish on top, the pressure on Wenger will increase significantly.

Featured image: All rights reserved by Stuart MacFarlane