Nacho Monreal is expected to join the Arsenal team in training on Tuesday after working alone with a physical coach as he tries to recover from a ‘little problem’ in his knee but Unai Emery has pretty much ruled him out of the City game.
The Spaniard has yet to feature for Arsenal in pre-season after his involvement at the World Cup but with Sead Kolasinac ruled out for at least two months, people started to wonder where Nacho was.
“He arrived with no big injuries, but his knee has a little problem and he’s training everyday but not with us,” Emery said.
“He’s doing work alone with the physical coach, and running, and we think maybe on Tuesday he can start training with the team.
“We don’t want the injuries but it’s one of those things that you can’t help. We have players like Nacho, but he arrived late from the World Cup and also has a small injury. It’s difficult for him to arrive for the match against Manchester City.
“For us we are trying to help Ainsley play in this position and, for me, I want to give confidence to all my players in their positions, then he can play in this position as best as possible. My confidence in all my players is great.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles stepped into the left-back role against Lazio in Arsenal’s final pre-season game on Saturday evening and impressed in the role.
Should Monreal fail to get his fitness levels up to the required level before the game against Manchester City, which seems likely, AMN will be an able deputy.
Ramsey injury update
Aaron Ramsey is facing a race to be fit to face Manchester City in the season opener next weekend.
The Welshman picked up a calf injury as he warmed up at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin ahead of Arsenal’s penultimate pre-season friendly against Chelsea.
After the match, Arsenal said they expected Ramsey to return to training this week.