Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can live without Santi Cazorla as Lucas Perez nears return

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can continue to function in the absence of Santi Cazorla. The Gunners emerged from their 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday (23 November) with no fresh injury concerns but Cazorla's controlling presence in midfield was again missed.

The Spain international has missed the club's last seven games with an Achilles injury with Wenger confirming at a press conference on Friday the 31-year-old is still not available.

Hector Bellerin also remains sidelined with an ankle ligament injury but there was better news for Lucas Perez. The former Deportivo striker suffered an ankle injury of his own in the EFL Cup victory over Reading but having now returned to training, he could return after a five-game absence in the semi-final clash with Southampton on Wednesday.

"I don't think (from) the other night there are any new injuries, everyone is available," Wenger told a press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth. "Cazorla and Bellerin still out, so we will have nobody coming back.

"Lucas returned to training today for first time, he might be in contention for Wednesday, one training session is not enough to be involved on Sunday."

In Cazorla's absence, Arsenal have drawn three of their last four Premier League games with Wenger yet to settle on a midfield partnership to fill the void left by the Spaniard. But the Gunners' boss remains confident he has the personnel at his disposal to plug the gaps.

"[Cazorla] is important to our technical stability and quality of our decision-making and building-up from deep midfield. But I think we have enough quality in our side to get around that even though Santi is a fantastic player. I think we are good enough to find the solutions even though he is not there."

Even in Cazorla's absence, summer signing Granit Xhaka has been able to nail down a first-team role. The Switzerland international has started just eight games from a possible 19 and was only used as a late sub in key games against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Wenger insists however he has no issues with the former Borussia Monchengladbach star.

"I'm very happy with his commitment, he is developing well. Overall yes, maybe he didn't start enough games but he is adapting to a different league, a different way to play. But I am happy with him, every day he is focused and working hard and I am confident he will get his number of games."