Wenger debates resting Ozil for Norwich clash after knee knock suffered with Germany (but Sagna and Santi could return)

By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 12:36 EST, 17 October 2013 | UPDATED: 14:45 EST, 17 October 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will consider resting Mesut Ozil for Saturday’s clash against Norwich.

The Germany international has been passed fit despite sustaining a minor knee injury against Sweden on Tuesday night.

But with the Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Wenger is contemplating giving the £42million signing a break.

High-flyer: Mesut Ozil suffered a knock playing for Germany in their 5-3 victory over Sweden

High-flyer: Mesut Ozil suffered a knock playing for Germany in their 5-3 victory over Sweden

He'll be right: Ozil was substituted late in the match but Arsene Wenger says he will play Norwich on Saturday

He'll be right: Ozil was substituted late in the match but Arsene Wenger says he will play Norwich on Saturday

Bacary Sagna and Santi Cazorla could both feature against Norwich after recovering from injury.

Defender Sagna missed the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on October 6 with a hamstring injury, while Cazorla has been unavailable for six weeks due to an ankle problem.

Theo Walcott, however, is still two weeks away from fitness as he recovers from an abdominal problem.

Big return: Santi Cazorla could return for the first time since Arsenal's defeat of Tottenham in September

Big return: Santi Cazorla could return for the first time since Arsenal's defeat of Tottenham in September

Contender: Defender Bacary Sagna has also recovered from a hamstring injury and could be back for Arsenal

Contender: Defender Bacary Sagna has also recovered from a hamstring injury and could be back for Arsenal

Meanwhile, Wenger on Thursday insisted Arsenal would not be ditching their philosophy of nurturing young talent despite the club-record signing of Ozil.

Wenger said: ‘I believe that we still have to convince ourselves the future of this club will rely on the quality of the work we do inside — developing our players, scouting with quality and of course, when it is needed, then to put big numbers out and buy the player.’

Forwards Yaya Sanogo (back) and Lukas Podolski (hamstring) also continue their rehabilitation, along with midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee).

walcott
podolski

Abou Diaby
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Gunned down: Arsenal's casualty ward includes (clockwise from top left) Theo Walcott (abdomen), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Abou Diaby (knee) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee)

 

More...

Comments (19)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

Report comment

Yeah do it... We have Dortmund on match day 3 so we are gonna need both of them firing

0
0
 Click to rate
Report comment

Cant wait to see Santi and Mesut play together !!!

1
9
 Click to rate
Report comment

Waiting in anticipation to see Carzola and Ozil play together. To me Carzola is a gem.

1
8
 Click to rate
Report comment

I really can't wait for Podolski to get back into the team, with Ozil feeding him he's bound to chip in a fair amount of goals this season, Santi can run all evening, having Ozil as provider will surely see his goal tally increase as well, I think Wenger should play T5 this weekend, he is a top class defender and he needs playing time to keep him sharp.

2
13
 Click to rate
Report comment

I have been mentioning it for a while now, and im sorry to say, but ozil is (in my opinion) very, very ugly. - perp, Southport, 17/10/2013 20:45 And his girlfriend is fitter than any bird you've ever been with.

7
24
 Click to rate
Report comment

It was only a knock DM! He will play 60-65 minutes, we will be 3-4 nil up and Cazorla will replace him giving Ozil a rest and getting Santi some playing time! Easy.

2
16
 Click to rate
Report comment

Rest him please unless we are 3 nil down at half time, which is impossible with the current form.

5
24
 Click to rate
Report comment

He better think on, resting Ozil will balls up my dream team!

3
25
 Click to rate
Report comment

With BDortmund two days after Norwich l would rest Ozil. .Sczerzny .Jenkinson .Per Mert .TV5 ( Rest Koscielny for BD) .Monreal ( Rest Gibbs for BD) .Flamini .Arteta .Rosicky ( or Gnarby) .Ramsey .Wilshire .Giroud With Sagna and Carzola back but the latter lacking match fitness you can bring him on last 25min.

3
21
 Click to rate
Report comment

Sorry for messing up some names. I meant Gnabry Cazorla and Giroud.

2
19
 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now