Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain miss Reading trip

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that attacking duo Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both unavailable for Tuesday's League Cup tie against Reading.

Gervinho suffered an ankle injury after coming on as a substitute against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

Chamberlain is still recovering from a knock he suffered just minutes after being introduced against Norwich City.

Wenger told the club's official website: "Gervinho has an ankle problem. How long he will be out, we don't know. He had a scan today (Monday).

"Oxlade-Chamberlain is not available for this game. He would have loved to play. Apart from that, I don't think anyone else will be back."

The Gunners boss also revealed that Wojciech Szczesny is close to a first-team return but is not ready to play at the Madejski Stadium.