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Wenger feared long-term Ramsey injury

Aaron Ramsey could face Manchester City on Saturday © Getty Images

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Aaron Ramsey has a "small chance" of being fit to face Manchester City on Saturday, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger admitted he had initial fears Ramsey would face another lengthy spell out after he limped off during Wales' 2-1 victory against Andorra with an ankle injury, but said he was relieved to report it was only a "minor" problem.

"He has a little chance to be available for Saturday," Wenger said of the midifelder endured a long lay-off with a thigh injury last season. "It is an ankle sprain, a minor one, for sure.

"I would have been haunted in my head by last year's injury that was much more serious than expected at the start. It turned out to be three months, but even if he is not ready for Saturday, this is a short-term injury."

Wenger also confirmed Theo Walcott is still "two or three weeks" away from full training as he recovers from a long-term knee injury and suggested new signing Danny Welbeck could be thrown straight into his team for the visit of the defending Premier League champions.

Wenger acknowledged that it is "a big game" and hopes Arsenal can improve their poor record against the top sides.

"We had a decent start in the Premier League, but we dropped some points against Leicester and we have a good opportunity to play at home and get the three points," Wenger added.

"The pressure is big in a game like that. We want that - we enjoy that. It's an opportunity to show we can deal with it and that we have the quality to do it.

"I don't think this game is important for us mathematically because we dropped points away from home, but it could give us some credibility and confidence. We go to Dortmund in Champions League straight after and the Premier League is very important to us this season."

Wenger also played down speculation that Tottenham could groundshare at the Emirates Stadium during the 2017-18 season due to delays over Spurs' new 56,250-capacity ground.

"Geographically it maybe a solution, but you understand that is a very sensitive subject and I don't think it will happen," Wenger said, with a broad smile. "At the moment I have bigger problems to sort out."

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