Wenger Delivers Injury Latest on Wilshere, Flamini and Ozil

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful both Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini will be fit for the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

Flamini missed the Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund due to concussion while Wilshere was replaced after 58 minutes following an ankle problem.

And Wenger says both will be in contention to feature at Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime, however, Wilshere will undergo a medical check before being passed fit.

"Flamini is available because he had no basic injury - it was just a precaution," Wenger told a pre-match press conference. "Wilshere will be checked by the medical people."

French midfielder Flamini was taken off after a collision with Norwich City's Alex Tettey last weekend and was ruled out of the European tie with Dortmund due to rules regarding head injuries which require a five-day recovery period.

Wilshere suffered an ankle injury in the first half against the Champions League runners up but started the second half before being replaced by Santi Cazorla.

The England international's recent workload could see Wenger rest the midfielder regardless of his fitness, with the Arsenal boss often cautious about his fitness after two bouts of ankle surgery.

Cazorla's own return from an ankle problem has offset the potential loss of Wilshere and the possible absence this weekend of Mesut Ozil, who was suffering from a virus against Dortmund.

While Arsenal's unbeaten record in all competitions was ended by Robert Lewandowski's late goal at the Emirates, the north Londoners will be aiming to take a firmer grip of the Premier League summit against manager-less Palace.

Ian Holloway resigned on Wednesday following the 4-1 defeat to Fulham, with The Eagles having recorded just one league win all season and sit 19<sup>th in the Premier League.

"It is very harsh on Holloway because he has done exceptionally well to get Crystal Palace into the Premier League," Wenger added.

Arsenal are unbeaten in 21 of the 30 meetings between the two sides, defeating their London rivals 5-1 in their last meeting back in 2005.