• Premier League

Wenger: We'll make the call on Ozil's injury, not Germany

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the club will "follow our own recommendations" on how best to help Mesut Ozil recover from a knee injury as the disagreement with the German football Federation (DFB) continues.

Ozil was ruled out by the DFB for "10 to 12 weeks" on Wednesday after a scan in Munich revealed a "a partial lateral collateral ligament tear in left knee". The 25-year-old had complained to Arsenal's medical staff of pain after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Arsenal subsequently released their own statement, insisting no time frame had yet been set for the recovery of their record signing, only for Germany assistant coach Thomas Schneider to bite back on Thursday.

Bad luck or something sinister?

Injuries have been a feature of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reign © Getty Images

• One issue has plagued Arsene Wenger during his 18 years as Arsenal manager - why does the club continue to suffer so many injuries, despite a root-and-branch investigation and reform of their entire approach to physical conditioning?
  
  Click here to read Miguel Delaney's investigation

In a story on the club's official website on Thursday suggesting "Wenger knows he will be without the 25-year-old for at least two months," the Arsenal boss insists that he will await the verdict from his own trusted expert before deciding how to proceed with the playmaker's treatment.

"When he arrived with the German national team, they didn't think it was a lot at the start," Wenger said. "He was supposed to practice on Wednesday but, in the end, he said that wasn't possible for him."

"Then he had a scan and it was bad news. We have our own specialist giving us his opinion after reading the scan and examining Mesut. We will follow our own recommendations."

Arsenal's injury concerns were added to on Thursday when centre-back Laurent Koscielny was released from international duty with France.

Press Association Sport reports that Koscielny has a minor Achilles problem and the decision is precautionary, with the club confident he will be fit for the Premier League clash at home to Hull City a week on Saturday.

France play Portugal on Saturday and Armenia next Tuesday in friendlies building up to their hosting of Euro 2016.

Arsenal, however, have been able to report some positive news, with Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry back in full training following knee injuries, while midfielders Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) and Mikel Arteta (calf) are also continuing their rehabilitation on schedule.

Wenger added: "Theo is not too far away now. Serge has been out for a long, long time and Theo has also been out for nine months, so it's good to see them back. They've worked very hard and they're very dedicated. They are back in the group on a daily basis and that's very good news.

"For Ramsey it's day 13 today and I think it will be day 21 before he is back into training. Arteta may be back with the group late next week."

Defender Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud, however, remain long-term absentees.

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