Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere ruled out of England internationals

Arsenal midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere have been ruled out of England's international double-header against Lithuania and Italy. Oxlade-Chamberlain went off during the FA Cup win over Manchester United and could miss up to four weeks with a hamstring problem while Wilshere continues his recovery from undergoing a second bout of ankle surgery.

"It's a classic hamstring injury [for Oxlade-Chamberlain]," Wenger confirmed. "He'll be out for three to four weeks. It's frustrating for him but he's played more games this season than before. He's shown his importance. It's very difficult to say when [Wilshere] will be back. We have to respect his recovery."

The former Southampton youngster will therefore miss the visit of West Ham United, the Champions League second leg against Monaco, a trip to Newcastle, and the critical top four clash with Liverpool on 4 April.

There is however positive news over three other injured members of the Arsenal squad with Mathieu Flamini available for the game against West Ham while Gabriel Paulista and Mikel Arteta are close to resuming training.

Flamini has not played since February's FA Cup win over Middlesbrough but Paulista is set to return ahead of schedule after suffering a hamstring injury in the win over Queens Park Rangers.

Arteta, absent since November after a calf injury followed by ankle surgery, is also close to a return to first team action, but will have to wait until April to resume a campaign during which he has made just six Premier League starts.

"Flamini is available and Gabriel will return to training on Sunday," Wenger said. "[Arteta] is back in full training today. I think he'll return in three weeks," said Wenger, who also confirmed that both Arteta and full-back Hector Bellerin have begun talks over new deals at The Emirates Stadium.