Arsenal players recover from bug ahead of Chelsea game

Arsenal players have recovered from the stomach bug, that hit the team in Shanghai this week.

According to manager, Arsene Wenger, only Theo Walcott is a doubt for Saturday’s friendly against Chelsea in Beijing.

A handful of players fell ill before Wednesday’s game against Bayern Munich at Shanghai Stadium, but Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud, Sead Kolasinac and Aaron Ramsey both took full part in an open training session at the Bird’s Nest Stadium on Friday.

Wenger had identified the illness as food poisoning in Shanghai, but the team has since changed the diagnosis to a stomach bug.

“Today we had 21 players fit. Theo Walcott was not ready and I don’t think he’ll be ready for tomorrow. But there’s nothing major,” he said.

Even though this is only a friendly, the Gunners are keen to maintain their unbeaten record on this tour, especially as both teams square up against each other in the Community Shield in a fortnight.

“It’s a friendly between Chelsea and Arsenal, and that means it’s not really a friendly,” Wenger said.

“There’s always some pride at stake and some London desire to have superiority.

“We know each other very well, and it’s difficult to know how prepared Chelsea are, and how far we are with preparations but tomorrow will be a good indication. It was good against Bayern, and this is another test for us before the season.”