Arsenal: Hector Bellerin and Alexis Sanchez playing Crystal Palace but Danny Welbeck woes continue

Arsenal will welcome Hector Bellerin back for the 16 August Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. Alexis Sanchez is also in line to make his return after being left on the substitute's bench in the 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on the opening day of the season.

Danny Welbeck's injury woes persist however, with Arsene Wenger confirming at a press conference on Friday (14 August) that the 24-year-old is still at least three weeks away from his comeback, having still not returned to first team training. "Compared to last week's game we haven't lost anybody," Wenger told reporters, the Mirror reported.

"Bellerin is back available again and other injuries like Welbeck, Wilshere are not back. Welbeck is not close because he has not started full training so I would say at least 3 weeks from today. Alexis is fit and did good work during the week and is available for selection."

Welbeck has not featured for the Gunners since the 0-0 draw with Chelsea in April and missed the club's entire pre-season tour with a knee problem. Arsene Wenger has previously suggested the former Manchester United forward would return in time for their Emirates Cup campaign last month but he is now unlikely to make his return before September.

There was more positive news about Jack Wilshere's bid to return from injury however. The 23-year-old sustained a hairline fracture in his right fibula following a collision in training, with initial reports suggesting that he will be out for more than two months.

Wenger also feared the worst but is now hopeful the England international will be able to return to his side within a month: "Jack is back in training but I thought at the start it will be 6-8 weeks but it could be 3-4 so that is positive news."