Jack Wilshere expected to be fit for Arsenal's match with Bayern Munich

• Midfielder's thigh injury not as bad as first feared
• Thomas Vermaelen struggling with ankle problem

by Dominic Fifield 3 months ago

Arsenal are confident Jack Wilshere will be fit and available for the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie against Bayern Munich next week despite hobbling out of Saturday's win at Sunderland.

Wilshere collided with the home side's midfielder Alfred N'Diaye in the early stages of the second period and departed the Stadium of Light with a heavily bandaged thigh and a pronounced limp. The clash with N'Diaye exacerbated a thigh injury sustained in the first half on Wearside but the damage is apparently superficial.

The 21-year-old may well still be rested for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates Stadium but should be fit to face Bayern at home next Tuesday.

The captain, Thomas Vermaelen, will be monitored after missing the trip to the north-east with an ankle injury but Laurent Koscielny should return from a calf complaint.

Arsenal have loaned their Brazilian full-back André Santos to Grêmio for the remainder of the season. The 29-year-old had featured 36 times for the club since joining in the summer of 2011 from Fenerbahce but has been an unconvincing deputy to Kieran Gibbs, with Arsène Wenger having moved for the Spain left-back Nacho Monreal on transfer deadline day to challenge the youngster for a first-team place.