Arsenal injury news: Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of Tottenham derby

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will miss the crucial trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday 7 February but Danny Welbeck is ready to return to action.

After the 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, Wenger's side visit White Hart Lane at the weekend in search for a victory to keep pushing for the Premier League top four, with the Gunners currently fifth in the table and just two points above Spurs.

But the French manager has confirmed his side will face the challenge without his top goalscorer after Sanchez picked up a hamstring strain last week and missed the victory over Villa.

"The latest is that Alexis is not ready. He is not far away, the Leicester game is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet! He is training but it's light training," Wenger said to the club's official website.

Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain also remains on the sidelines and will not feature for the north London derby. He also missed the victory over Brighton in the FA Cup and the Premier League win against Aston Villa.

"Alex is still out, but he is starting to practice again, not full training," the manager confirmed.

The only good news for the Gunners on the injury front is Welbeck will be again available for selection after missing the last month of competition with a thigh injury.

"Welbeck is back in the group. Apart from that we have the same squad available as last week," Wenger said.

Meanwhile, the manager claimed Jack Wilshere is expected to return to training on 8 February, while Serge Gnabry and new signing Krystian Bielik will play with the Under 21s at Newcastle on 9 February in order to get up to full fitness.

"Jack is back in full training next week, hopefully from Sunday," Wenger said. "Serge will play on Monday night at Newcastle, with Bielik. Bielik is coming along very well."