With only one more fixture left in the year 2016, Arsene Wenger’s men will be looking to overcome their injury problems and end the 12 months on a high note. 

Below is a round-up of the latest news on players (apart from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) who were not able to make the squad which faced Manchester City because of fitness issues.

Aaron Ramsey

Barring any more set-backs, Aaron Ramsey is expected to finally make a return to training within the next couple of days after sitting out the last three Premier League fixtures because of a toe problem.

“Next week I believe he should be back in the squad in normal training.” Wenger said before the Man. City game

Shkodran Mustafi

Only seven days after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-1 victory over Stoke City, Mustafi has manfully gotten back in the gym to begin lower body work-outs as he awaits at least three more weeks on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old had a decent fitness record at Valencia and his swift return to physical activities off the pitch may be signs that he could be set for a comeback slightly earlier than expected.

Per Mertesacker and Chuba Akpom

The duo managed to resume full training last week after being sidelined for several months following severe knee injuries.

Due to the length of their injury lay-offs, Akpom and Mertesacker are expected to feature for the club’s youth team first before playing a part in games for the first team again.

Others

The likes of Danny Welbeck, Mathieu Debuchy and Santi Cazorla complete the list of absentees but Welbeck in particular, is much closer to making a return after finally resuming some light training at the beginning of this month.

Be the first to receive breaking news about Arsenal!