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Team news: Per, Welbeck and Wilshere

Per Mertesacker

Arsene Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday's game against Stoke City:

on Danny Welbeck...
Yes, we got very bad news because in my mind he was almost ready to play again. He was very close but he could not tolerate the final step up in his rehab. We always wanted to try conservative rehab first under the guidance of specialists and he did get very close. We had to consult and in the end they decided to go in and see what's wrong. He will be out certainly until Christmas.

on Tomas Rosicky...
It's similar [to Welbeck], it's a similar surgery.

on Jack Wilshere...
He is progressing slowly. Unfortunately he will not be available for Saturday.

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on Per Mertesacker...
Per was out for 18 days but he's back now in training.

on Laurent Koscielny...
Laurent is alright, he had a normal training session yesterday.

on the international breakā€¦
All the players who have been away on international duty have come back in good shape. We should have the same squad available.