Wenger - Rosicky, Toure injuries not serious
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Arsène Wenger had three reasons to be relatively cheerful when he revealed his team news ahead of the Premier League game with Newcastle at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Firstly, the hamstring injury that forced off Tomas Rosicky in the FA Cup tie between the two sides at the weekend will clear up in “days not weeks”.
Secondly the groin problem Kolo Toure picked up on international duty had been scanned by Arsenal staff in Paris and would sideline him for only “eight to 10 days”.
Thirdly Robin van Persie is expected back in training on Tuesday as he bids to return from a thigh injury.
Meanwhile Manuel Almunia and Bacary Sagna are back in the Arsenal squad for the return of Kevin Keegan’s side. Rosicky will be absent but only in the short-term, something that looked doubtful when he trudged off after just nine minutes on Saturday.
“There is no deep problem with Tomas,” said Wenger. “He has a problem with his hamstring but it is not torn. He got a kick at Fulham and the inflammation around his tendon provokes some pain but we feel it's a question of days, not weeks."
The same can be said of Toure. And that can be classed as a relief after he went off during the first half of Ivory Coast’s game with Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday. Since then the centre back has flown to Paris, been assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff and returned to the tournament in Ghana.
"He has a Grade One groin problem,” said Wenger. “It will keep him out for eight to 10 days. But he will stay with the Ivory Coast squad for the rest of the tournament."
Wenger added Van Persie would return to training on Tuesday but the striker will not be available again for another two or three weeks.
