Arsene Wenger confirms injuries to Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky ahead of Asia tour

Arsenal have announced a 27-man squad that will be travelling to Singapore for the Barclays Asia Trophy.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky will sit out during the tour due to injuries, while the likes of Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina have been given rest to recuperate from their exertions in the Copa America, which concluded on 4 July.

The Frenchman revealed that Calum Chambers has cut his holiday short after the U-21 tournament and will return to training on Friday. He will be part of the travelling squad to Singapore.

The Gunners will play either Stoke City or Everton along with a Singapore Select XI in the tournament following which they will return to England for the Emirates Cup and the start of the Premier League season. The Gunners also have to play Chelsea in the Community Shield on 2 August, following their successive FA Cup triumph in May.

Sanchez, as directed by Wenger, will miss the game, giving Jose Mourinho a massive boost in his bid to take his unbeaten streak to 14 over Wenger during his tenure with Chelsea.

"Welbeck isn't completely recovered from the problem he had [at the end of last season]. He's not back in full training so he will stay behind," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"Rosicky will stay back because he got a small injury at his last game against Iceland with Czech Republic.

"Ospina is on holiday until July 27 and Alexis is on holiday until August 3. Serge Gnabry is on holiday after playing with the under-21s. He's back on July 20," he added.

The manager will be looking to induct Petr Cech into the squad since his transfer from Chelsea this summer, to build familiarity with the new number one and strengthen their backline.

Wenger will also keep a keen eye on the talented youngsters in the squad and look to notable inductions to the first team if he deems them competent.