Arsene Wenger has confirmed midfielder Mohamed Elneny has no "medical injury problem" and was withdrawn in the first half in Arsenal's 2-0 EFL Cup defeat against Southampton due to illness.
The Gunners' summer signing Granit Xhaka replaced the Egyptian international in the 43rd minute, when the hosts were 2-0 down at the Emirates. The 24-year-old headed down the tunnel after he was replaced before the break.
According to the Evening Standard, there were growing concern after Elneny was substituted in the EFL Cup quarter-final defeat. However, the Frenchman has delivered a positive update on the player's situation, while also revealing the African midfielder was suffering from a stomach problem.
"He was sick before the game. He decided he felt well enough. I could see after five or 10 minutes that he was not right. He has no medical injury problem, but he has diarrhea or a stomach problem," Wenger explained, as quoted by Arsenal's official website.
Arsenal were without the services of striker Olivier Giroud for the clash as the France international joined the list of injured players at the Emirates. Wenger remains hopeful that his compatriot could be fit enough to face West Ham United in the Premier League clash later this weekend.
The Gunners manager also provided an injury update on Santi Cazorla, who is recovering from his injury.
"Giroud is short, but has a chance to be available for Saturday. Cazorla I don't know, honestly. It's just inflammation. It can go in two days, two weeks - I don't know. He has no setback, the inflammation is just still here. At the moment, it's stable," Arsenal boss explained.
Arsenal's defeat at the hands of the Saints allowed them to make it to the semi-final. They will take on Liverpool in the semi-final, while Manchester United and Hull City will face each other in the other semi-final of the EFL Cup.
