ARSENAL have suffered a huge injury blow as defender Gabriel is out of the FA Cup final against Chelsea with knee ligament damage, and could be sidelined for up to eight weeks.
The centre-back wast stretchered off in the second half in the 3-1 final day win against Everton at the Emirates, after clashing with Toffees striker Enner Valencia.
Wenger confirmed the news at his press conference ahead of the Wembley clash with newly crowned Premier League champions Chelsea.
He said:”Gabriel is out for 6-8 weeks, we had a scare about his cruciate but it’s medial. He avoids surgery.”
With Laurent Koscielny suspended and the defensive injuries piling up, Wenger revealed Shkodran Mustafi has not yet returned to training after suffering a head injury in the Sunderland win last week.
Wenger added:”With Mustafi we have some worry because he is sick and has not trained yet, we are hit hard in a position where we have to be strong on Saturday.”
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On a positive note for Wenger, Alexis Sanchez who has been linked with a summer switch to Bayern Munich is fit.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has resumed training, and is in contention to start at Wembley.
The midfielder, who was impressing at right wing-back has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.
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