Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker available, Jack Wilshere returning to training, Mikel Arteta fully fit and Danny Welbeck back sooner than expected
Arsenal have been dealt some positive injury news with three players returning to action, one returning to training and one expected to return sooner than anticipated.
The Gunners are known for having injury issues, with several first-team players missing large portions of the season throughout the past few campaigns.
However, for once they have received some timely good news regarding the injury side of things.
Centre-back pairing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker should BOTH be fit for Saturday’s game against Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.
Koscielny reportedly damaged his back on international duty, whilst Mertesacker has been absent in recent games due to illness. However, Arsenal have confirmed the Frenchman is fine and the vice-captain has also fully recovered.
Arteta Raring To Go
As well as the vice-captain recovering, Arsenal’s club-captain is also back fully fit as Mikel Arteta has confirmed that his injury woes are finally behind him.
The midfielder missed most of last season through injury, but he has confirmed that he’s feeling fully fit once again and ready to contribute to the team.
“I really missed it [when I was out].
“I had a really tough period last year after my last game in November and I went through some really difficult moments with my surgery.
“For me it is the frustration [that is the hardest thing] because there is always pain and you are trying to get back everyday and you spend a lot of time doing rehabilitation.
“When the players go outside for a training session, you feel wasted. They come back, they travel and they have different times to you. Personally I don’t feel productive.
“I’m here because I want to play games, make this team more successful and be a part of it.
“When I’m not able to do that I still have to contribute, be positive, be good around the other players, give advice and try to help my team-mates. But it is not the same.
“But I worked really hard and tried to stay positive, do my best and here I am again now, earning my place in the squad and ready to help the team.”
Wilshere and Welbeck
Further positive news for Arsenal is the return of Jack Wilshere. The midfielder will return to first-team training once everyone is back from international duty which should speed up his recovery.
Finally for Arsenal, they have dismissed Roy Hodgson‘s comments and confirmed that Danny Welbeck should be back around Christmas time.
The England manager said he reckons Welbeck could be out for around six months, but Arsenal are confident it will be quicker than that.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
