US Edition Arsenal face going into tomorrow’s Premier League match against Burnley with a deepening injury crisis in defence after Arsenal Wenger confirmed Jack Wilshere is likely to miss the game and Kieran Gibbs faces a late fitness test.
With Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy already missing, the absence of Gibbs would mean asking Nacho Monreal to move to left-back, bringing teenager Hector Bellerin into the team at right-back and starting with Calum Chambers and Per Mertesacker as the two centre-backs. That would leave no other senior defensive cover on the bench.
Wilshere has shown glimpses of his very best form in recent months but Wenger confirmed the England midfielder is unlikely to face Burnley and may also miss Tuesday's Champions League tie against Anderlecht.
"There is a slight problem with Wilshere. I don't think he'll be available against Burnley," Wenger said.
"It's very, very short term. He took a kick on his knee. I don't know if Tuesday will be too early or not. He's not training at the moment."
Yaya Sanogo is available after fully recovering from a hamstring injury, but Theo Walcott will have to make do with a spot among the substitutes after Wenger confirmed the winger is "not completely ready" to return to the starting line-up.
There was good news regarding Olivier Giroud, who Wenger says is "miles ahead" of schedule as he looks to return from a broken leg and will rejoin Arsenal training after the November international break.