Injuries Could Force 3 Arsenal Starters to Miss Sunderland Match

Considering the myriad injury problems Arsenal have faced in recent seasons, they might have considered themselves lucky for the predominantly healthy preseason they have enjoyed up to this juncture.

But with Saturday's season opener against Sunderland looming large, the participation of three likely starters has been called into question due to injuries.

Koscielny (calf strain) and Walcott (bruised thigh) join Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (ankle) on the treatment table. All three had featured for Arsenal in Sunday's final preseason friendly against FC Cologne.

The French defender was granted permission by manager Didier Deschamps to return to London after a battery of tests revealed the problem. While the extent of the injury was not revealed, it was deemed troublesome enough to rule him out of participation in Wednesday's friendly against Uruguay.

Both Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain seemed poised to play some part in England's friendly against Italy in Switzerland as well.

There is cover in Arsene Wenger's side for all three—Per Mertesacker will likely step in for Koscielny in central defense, and Arsenal are hardly lacking for talented midfielders.

But the Sunderland match had shaped up as a terrific opportunity for Oxlade-Chamberlain to feature in the central midfield role he has occupied this preseason, not to mention allow Walcott the chance to build upon a preseason that has shown such promise.

With all three looking sharp as of late, it is hardly an ideal scenario for Wenger to have to handle.

More will be made available about the trio's potential participation for Saturday's match, but at the moment, it doesn't look altogether promising.