Arsenal club medics deny Wenger food poisoning claims

Matt Stead

Arsenal club medics have denied claims that the squad are suffering from food poisoning.

The Gunners drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich on Wednesday before beating the Bundesliga champions on penalties.

A number of first teamers struggled with the conditions in China, with temperatures reportedly as high as 36 degrees Celsius.

Per Mertesacker was withdrawn from the starting line-up minutes before kick-off, while new signing Sead Kolasinac was substituted due to illness.

Olivier Giroud was also missing, while Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey were only named as substitutes as a result.

“We have a virus in the camp,” said Wenger after the match. “The doctor thinks it is food poisoning.

“Mertesacker and Giroud were sick, Kolasinac was sick. Theo Walcott and Aaron had a little bit of food poisoning as well. I don’t know what they ate.”

Despite this, the Daily Mail report that Arsenal club medics are certain that the illness is not food poisoning. Matt Barlow writes:

‘Arsenal’s medics claim there was no common factor among the players who have been ill and have believe it is probably a mild stomach bug which has been picked up and passed around the camp.’