Ramsey gives Arsenal EFL Cup fitness boost

Aaron Ramsey offered Arsenal a major fitness boost ahead of their EFL Cup Final against Manchester City on Sunday by joining training on Wednesday.

The Welsh midfielder has missed Arsenal’s last two games with a groin problem and fears had been growing that he would be unavailable for Wembley, though those now appear to have been allayed.

Ramsey is unlikely to play any part in Thursday’s Europa League round of 32 second-leg against Ostersund, where Wenger is expected to rotate with one eye on the clash with City 72 hours later.

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Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are among those who are set to be held in reserve as Wenger bids to win the EFL Cup for the first time in his 21 year reign at Arsenal.

That means youngsters including Reiss Nelson, Calum Chambers and Joe Willock are in line to join a squad captained by Per Mertesacker.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Danny Welbeck are likely to be part of Wenger’s forward line, the former being ineligible for the EFL Cup after playing for Manchester United earlier in the competition.

Wenger has an almost entirely fully fit squad to be able to choose from, with Alexandre Lacazette and Santi Cazorla the only absentees. The French striker is also a doubt for the round of 16 should Arsenal make it that far