Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could miss the rest of Arsenal’s season with the groin issue that has been causing him ongoing problems.

Two weeks ago it was claimed he would be back in two weeks but the latest update given by Arsene Wenger has said he will be out for another two weeks – if things go to plan. That timeframe was also qualified with the dreaded ‘at least’.

With Arsenal facing Reading on Saturday and with the very real possibility of making the FA Cup final for the second year in a row, the Ox will no doubt be keen not to miss out once again having had to watch last year’s triumph from the sidelines

Speaking to the press ahead of the game at Wembley, Wenger said “It is in the balance. The inflammation has not completely cleared. He is on the way, building up and he might join in next week in full training and then we see. He is at least two weeks away.”

Already out for five weeks since picking up a hamstring injury against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Ox has endured a terrible time with injuries of late, returning from injury just long enough to ensure that he picked up another that ruled him out of the World Cup last summer.

At the minute the papers are full of speculation that he will miss the remainder of the season, but it’s worth pointing out that it is just speculation at present.