Arsenal injury news: Per Mertesacker and Gabriel fit to return against Watford

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James Benge10 March 2016

Per Mertesacker and Gabriel are expected to shake off injury concerns in time for Sunday’s FA Cup sixth round tie with Watford, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The pair were both withdrawn during Tuesday’s 4-0 fifth round replay win over Hull, meaning that Arsenal ended the match with an unfamiliar centre-back pairing of Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers.

Among the three injuries suffered by Arsenal that night Mertesacker cut his eye during a first-half aerial battle with Nick Powell whilst Gabriel injured his hamstring during the second period. However neither injury was overly serious and both could start at the Emirates.

Wenger said: “We had a few injuries at Hull - Gabriel, Mertesacker and Ramsey. Mertesacker and Gabriel are very positive, there is nothing wrong there, they are both good.”

That represents something of a relief for Wenger, who it seems likely will once more be without Laurent Koscielny. The centre-back missed last week’s defeat to Swansea with what was termed a “slight calf problem”.

He has since missed games against Tottenham and Hull and now faces a race to be fit in time for Wednesday’s meeting with Barcelona.

He is not far, he will have tests until Sunday, but it could come too soon,” Wenger added. “He has a little chance [for Watford.”

Aaron Ramsey, the third of the injured trio in the Hull win, remains the most serious concern for Wenger. Reports today suggested he could be out for up to six weeks, with Arsenal awaiting the results of a scan on his troublesome thigh muscle.

Wenger confirmed there had been “a small alert” but offered no indication as to how long the 25-year-old’s absence could be.

Ramsey has missed 33 games since December 2013 through thigh injuries alone having first suffered the problem during his breakout 2013/14 season, when he was absent over three months.

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