Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has suffered a medial knee ligament injury and been ruled out for between six and eight weeks, ending his chances of playing for England at Euro 2016.
The Arsenal midfielder slid and extended his leg as he changed direction during a session on Monday, having only returned to training a week ago after recovering from an injury to the same knee that had sidelined him for more than two months.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will not need an operation, although it is the latest in a string of injuries that have limited him to playing in about half of Arsenal’s league fixtures in the past three seasons. He has twice pulled his hamstring, suffered a lengthy groin and pelvic injury and sustained a knee problem in a friendly before the 2014 World Cup finals, at which he did not feature.
Arsène Wenger dismissed the suggestion that Oxlade-Chamberlain, 22, is prone to injury. “It doesn’t look like it but if you look at his record in the past few years it does not look good,” he said. “He is a fantastic athlete. We don’t see any weakness.”
Wenger was told of the full extent of the problem on Thursday and confirmed that he has no chance of playing at the tournament in France. Oxlade-Chamberlain had hoped to be named in the squad after playing in many of the qualifiers and scoring against Lithuania in his most recent appearance in October. “No chance can he go,” Wenger said.
Advertisement
“It is very sad. He was physically ready and looking sharp. He’s an impact player as well so he could have had a great contribution to England’s success.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is among the players who have been offered for sale as Wenger tries to overhaul his squad this summer. The Frenchman did not rule out a move for N’Golo Kanté, the Leicester City midfielder who has a £20 million release clause in his contract. “I am sure if Leicester want to sell him, they will find some buyers,” he said. “I cannot tell you anything now.”
“It is very sad. He was physically ready and looking sharp. He’s an impact player as well so he could have had a great contribution to England’s success
Wenger stressed that the impact on possible signings and pressure in pre-season as reasons for Arsenal wanting to guarantee a place in the Champions League group stage. They can do so by beating Manchester City in Manuel Pellegrini’s final home game tomorrow.
The Chilean will be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer. “I have big sympathy for Pellegrini until Sunday. It is difficult because once you have less power when the players know you are moving out. Once they took Txiki Begiristain [as sporting director] you could see what was coming,” he said.
Wenger claimed that he always wanted his former players on his staff and said that Mikel Arteta, his injured captain, could stay if a coaching position becomes available.
Advertisement
Champions League race
Remaining games
Today Norwich v Man Utd; West Ham v Swansea Tomorrow Man City v Arsenal Tuesday West Ham v Man Utd Sunday 15 Arsenal v Aston Villa; Man Utd v Bournemouth; Stoke v West Ham; Swansea v Man City
What can happen
Arsenal, given their much superior goal difference to United, need two points to be certain of a top-four place. United can overtake City in fourth if they take five points more in their final three games than City take in their final two. West Ham United, who also have three games remaining, can also get there if they take a point more than Louis van Gaal’s side and six points more than City.