Arsenal news: Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain return to give Arsene Wenger a fully fit squad
Wenger has not had a fully fit squad in training at all this season, although Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be risked this weekend against Norwich
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Your support makes all the difference.Santi Cazorla Is in contention to return from five months out injured after Arsene Wenger confirmed he has resumed full training, with the midfielder being considered for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Norwich this weekend.
Cazorla has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in the corresponding fixture at Carrow Road at the end of November, and his absence has severely impacted Arsenal’s creativity in attack with the Gunners struggling for goals in 2016.
Speaking to Arsenal.com ahead of Saturday evening’s clash with relegation-threatened Norwich, Wenger confirmed that Cazorla is in contention to return, although conceded that he has not yet decided if the Spaniard will play.
“Santi might be in the squad this weekend, I don't know yet,” said Wenger. “He is available.”
In a double boost for Wenger and Arsenal, the Frenchman confirmed that England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also returned to full training, having missed two months with a knee injury of his own suffered in the Champions League defeat by Barcelona in February.
The 22-year-old is in danger of missing out on England’s squad for Euro 2016 due to his injury troubles and inconsistent form this season, though his return gives him two weeks to prove to Roy Hodgson he is worth taking to France in the summer.
Wenger confirmed that Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be risked this weekend, but should return in time to face Manchester City next weekend before the season-ending home encounter with relegated Aston Villa.
“It's Oxlade-Chamberlain's first week in full training now, so I don't think I will select him this weekend,” Wenger said.
It gives Wenger an unfamiliar bonus of having a fully fit squad – something Arsenal have not enjoyed this season – and the manager was clearly pleased with the options he has despite him admitting that he is concerned their poor form of late could cost the club a place in next season’s Champions League.
“Everyone is training, so that's new for us,” he said. “That's the first time this season. Everyone is available, but maybe Oxlade-Chamberlain is not competitive yet.”
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