Arsene Wenger admits Ox is a doubt for FA Cup final

Saturday 16 May 2015
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured against Man Utd on 9 March

Arsene Wenger has admitted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may miss the FA Cup Final with a hamstring injury.

Arsenal take on Aston Villa on 30 May. but the England is struggling to overcome his latest injury setback.

He had only recently returned to training following a spell out with a groin problem, but pulled up during Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Old Trafford on 9 March.

Arsene Wenger admitted The FA Cup final may come too soon for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox was instantly ruled out of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Sunderland and will face a race against time to prove his fitness for the final Premier League game against West Brom on May 24.

The Arsenal manager says he will give him every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the showpiece final at Wembley.

Wenger said: "He will not play next week and after there's only one week to go for the Cup final. 

"I think he will be short but you never know. 

"If he can be available for West Brom, maybe that's the earliest he could be. It's difficult to predict."

“I think he will be short but you never know”

Arsene Wenger 

England striker Danny Welbeck is, however, winning his fitness battle with a knee injury and Wenger expects the Arsenal forward to be back in action in time for the Gunners second FA Cup final in as many seasons..

Welbeck scored the only goal against his former club at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final back in March and featured in the semi-final win against Reading.

Wenger added: "He is short a fraction, but is not far away."

By Jamie Reid Senior Writer