Arsenal pair set to return

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:50:00

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky should be fit for Saturday's Premier League game at home to Newcastle.

The duo had to miss Saturday's 1-0 victory at Wigan because of sickness but are expected to be back for the Gunners' first game since, their Boxing Day match having been called off because of the tube strike.

Wenger added that the squad suffered no new injuries at Wigan and that Abou Diaby and Andre Santos should be able to return to training next week.

Diaby has been out with a thigh problem since the 2-1 loss at home to Chelsea on 29th September while Santos has been suffering from a muscle strain and has been absent since 17 November.

Arsenal's injury list is relatively short at present, with only goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski a long-term absentee due to an ankle injury.

Wenger said: "It is unusual, especially at this period of the season. It is down to the continuing good work we are doing behind the scenes at the club.

"We hope that it continues because it is important to go into January with a full squad and we will be losing Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations."