Following Arsenal’s 8-0 win over Viking FK on Friday night, Arsene Wenger gave a fitness update on pretty much every player who’s ever played for the Gunners…
Santi Cazorla played his first 90 minutes since November and did look a little tired by the time the final whistle went. Saying this, he scored a peach of a goal and showed his trademark moments of beautiful football. It’ll be fantastic to have him back full-time when he’s fully fit.
“It’s the first time he’s played 90 minutes for a long, long time because he’s basically been out since November,” said Wenger.
“He played the last game of the season and 90 minutes today. Let’s see how he recovers from that. Of course, we need him back in good shape. He’s a pleasure to watch, especially when it’s a demonstration like tonight. He’s one of the few players that you don’t know whether they’re right or left footed. It’s good that he came through well. We have no injuries tonight so that’s positive”
Jack Wilshere, who was only supposed to be out for a week but is now a doubt for the entire pre-season tour – or what’s left of it, at least – is supposed to start training next week after he started running again on Friday. I doubt we’ll see him against Liverpool, to be honest.
Per Mertesacker, as we already knew, is still out for about four months.
Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud are a doubt for our opening clash against Liverpool. Not because they’ve hurt themselves – although I wouldn’t be surprised knowing this team – but due to their late involvement in Euro 2016. They just need some more time to prepare.
One man who was inexplicably missing from the squad on Friday night was goalkeeper Petr Cech. Apparently, he has a minor eye infection and will be back for Liverpool.
In other #AFC related info: Cech missed tonight with a minor eye infection but should be okay for Liverpool.
— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel81_DM) August 5, 2016