Arsenal given hope after positive initial diagnosis of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injury

Arsenal are getting positive indications with regards to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's latest injury blow with the diagnosis suggesting that it is not as bad as first feared.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners midfielder, who picked up a hamstring injury during the win over Southampton on Wednesday (10 May), has undergone a scan to assess the damage. The initial suggestion is that it is not that bad. He is expected to undergo further tests on Friday, which should give a more clear indication as to how long the player will be sidelined.

The 23-year-old has been one of Arsenal's best players in recent months, especially after Arsene Wenger switched to a back three and deployed the England international as a wing-back. He has played an instrumental role in recent wins over Manchester United and Manchester City in the Premier League and FA Cup semi-finals respectively.

The main concern regarding his recent injury is if he will be available for the north London club's FA Cup final against Chelsea on 27 May. Oxlade-Chamberlain missed both of Arsenal's previous two FA Cup finals in 2014 and 2015 – the first was due to injury and the second was due to his non-selection in the matchday squad.

Wenger refused to give a clear indication in the immediate aftermath of the Southampton win, but gave a positive update later suggesting that the injury was mainly due to fatigue. The French coach will be hoping to have Oxlade-Chamberlain fit for the final few games, as his team chases a top four finish in the Premier League and a third FA Cup title in four years.

"I don't know. It was tight, it was not a knife, you know. Personally, I didn't see any incident where he had to stop for a sprint, it was more fatigue. But it's difficult to assess now, after the game," Wenger said when asked about Oxlade-Chamberlain's chances of making the FA Cup final, as quoted on Arsenal's official site.