Arsene Wenger Delivers Podolski, Ramsey and Wilshere Injury Update

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is optimistic both Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey will be fit for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur despite both picking up knocks in the Champions League win over Fenerhahce but Lukas Podolski is out for three weeks with a hamstring problem.

Ramsey, who scored twice to complete a 5-0 aggregate win for The Gunners and send them through to the Champions League group stage for a 16<sup>th consecutive season, limped off at full-time while Wilshere was the victim of a number of late challenges.

The injury blow compounds the loss of Podolski who is out of the visit of Spurs this weekend after being stretchered off with a hamstring injury, which has ruled him out for three weeks and leaves Arsenal desperately short in attacking areas.

But Wenger is hopeful over the fitness of Wilshere, who refused to come off in the closing stages having received extensive treatment and Ramsey who has a groin strain.

"That's the negative of tonight," Wenger said. "We paid a heavy price on the injury front because we lost Podolski. I don't know how bad Ramsey is.

"I don't know how Wilshere will respond to an ankle problem, we will have to check that tomorrow. The two tackles on Wilshere were disappointing but you cant not change it now but he looks alright.

"Podolski is definitely out for 21 days and Ramsey we have to check how severe his groin is tomorrow.

"I wanted to take him off. I would have played with two men. We were 2-0 up they had to score five goals in ten minutes so I think with 10 men we could have avoided that. He wanted to go on.

"Jack should be alright for Sunday and I'm hopeful on Aaron a well. I don't know how bad it is, I took him off with three or four minutes to go but I don't know how bad it is. He wanted to stay on."

The trio add to the already sidelined Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta and further emphasises Arsenal's need for additional resources in the remaining days of the transfer window.

But despite the father of Juan Mata - the Chelsea playmaker who appears on the peripheral of Jose Mourinho's plans this season - having been spotted in the Emirates Stadium crowd on Tuesday evening, Wenger says Arsenal are no closer to making much needed signings.

"We have to see how bad the injuries are but I can not tell you more than that we are on the market and everyone in the world knows that now," the Frenchman added.

"I can not be more creative than that because everything has been said and nothing has been concluded yet but I can not give you answers at the moment."