Arsenal are searching for a solution to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s groin problems that will allow him to avoid surgery in the summer.

The Gunners fear the England midfielder may need to go under the knife if they can’t get to the bottom of the injury, which has troubled him for most of the season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out since Arsenal's FA Cup win at Manchester United a month ago with a hamstring strain which has aggravated his ongoing groin injury.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on Thursday that the player is out for another two weeks, ruling him out of the holders' FA cup semi-final against Reading next Saturday.

The 21-year-old is now facing a make-or-break 10 days to overcome his latest setback. Arsenal’s medical staff are confident he will play again this season but are taking extra care due to their concerns about the problem returning.

Ox tale: The midfielder hasn't played since the FA Cup win at Man United on March 9 (
Image:
Getty)

If it does, they accept Oxlade-Chamberlain will have no choice other than to have an operation at the end of the season.

The former Southampton starlet has been affected by a series of problems which have disrupted his progress since suffering a serious knee injury at the start of last season.

Wenger said: “It is taking a bit longer than I thought because he has a groin inflammation. It is related to everything before.

“I hope it does not become a long-term problem, but he faces a hurdle this week in training. We will see if he has recovered well.

“The end of this week and the start of next week are important to see if he got rid of that inflammation. It is not his hamstring anymore. It is groin inflammation.”

Arsenal’s injury concerns have eased sifnificantly this week.

Midfield trio Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby and right-back Mathieu Debuchy are alll in contention for Saturday's trip to Burnley after long-term injuries.

Healthy competition: Wenger warned fit-again players they won't walk back into a winning side (
Image:
Reuters)

Wenger said: “They were at a good level physically and should all be available from now on until the end of the season hopefully.”

But the Frenchman warned his returning stars they face a battle to get back in his in-form side, who are now second in the table after winning 10 of their last 11 league games.

“There are 25 individual cases who deserve to play, but we are all here to serve Arsenal Football Club and that is it," said Wenger.

“We are all in a fantastic position but our job is competing. You cannot say that you have to accept to compete. If you cannot compete, then you have nothing to do in this job.”

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