• Champions League

Wenger facing keeper crisis ahead of Anderlecht clash

ESPN staff
October 20, 2014
Arsenal back-up goalkeeper David Ospina is out of the Champions League clash with Anderlecht on Wednesday © Getty Images
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces more selection problems for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Anderlecht after reports claimed he would have to rely on his third choice goalkeeper.

With first choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny suspended and his understudy David Ospina reportedly unavailable due to injury, rookie Emiliano Martinez is set to be thrown into the first-team firing line in Belgium.

Wenger is also said to have worries over the fitness of defender Isaac Hayden, who would have been on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Hull, because of an ankle injury picked up in training last Friday.

Arsenal have already seen their defensive resources depleted by injuries to Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy, meaning Wenger is likely to call on the 19-year-old Hector Bellerin for Wednesday's European tie. England defender Calum Chambers is set to return from suspension to start at centre-half.

There was good news for Wenger as fears over the fitness of Jack Wilshere were allayed after he picked up a knock on his knee in the Hull game.

Theo Walcott, however, is still not ready for a first team return despite making his comeback in an under-21 game last week following a lengthy lay-off with a knee ligament injury, but midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are expected to be fit enough to start against Anderlecht as they edge back to full health.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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