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Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla could be out until March, admits Arsène Wenger

The Frenchman and his medical staff allowed the Spaniard to play on during last week’s 1-1 draw with Norwich, despite Cazorla suffering the injury during the first minute of the second half at Carrow Road.

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Speaking at a pre-match conference, Wenger appeared irritated by the constant questions about Arsenal’s injury crisis especially Alexis Sanchez injury.

Wenger suggested the jolt may have caused the Arsenal forward’s subsequent hamstring injury, with Sanchez out for at least three weeks. We have no more injuries than anyone else.

With Sanchez now likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks, Wenger defended his decision to play the 26-year-old in the 1-1 draw against Norwich on Sunday.

“Your phone is busy every day with people proposing players, That’s an aspect where we have a team to select what’s coming in and what we see”.

“Sanchez is a hamstring but I don’t know how long it will take, because usually he’s a quick one to recover”, Wenger said.

“I tested him before it and said, ‘If you have the slightest muscle problem tell me, I don’t play you.’ He said he had no problem at all, the tests were all positive”. Louis van Gaal will have to reinvent his attacking midfield as Ander Herrera is also injured and will be forced to put an attacking midfield player into the striker position to compensate for Rooney’s injury.

He might have a capsular problem as well, but I don’t know for how long he will be out.

Despite his comments, Wenger could come under pressure from supporters to recruit during the January transfer market with his squad rocked by injuries.

“He has gone to see a specialist in Spain, and I don’t know more about it”, said Wenger. I don’t like to push players who are reluctant to play games. For me our job is to win the next game, and do what is requested.

“For example, Cazorla and Coquelin are traumatic injuries”.

Arsenal face Sunderland tomorrow afternoon, as they aim to end a run of three Premier League games without a win.

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When asked about having to put the brakes on when playing centrally, Ramsey said: “It is a bit easier at home because we have the majority of the ball and Flamini normally stays behind so we have that bit of licence”.

Arsenal will have to do without Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla for their upcoming games