German international Per Mertesacker has resumed full training with Arsenal following a virus – and looks likely to be within contention to start against Stoke at the weekend.
Mertesacker has missed the Gunners’ last two Barclays Premier League fixtures after he was struck with a virus. However, Matt Barlow, reporting for The Daily Mail writes that the Arsenal vice-captain has returned to full training and will be available for selection at the weekend when the Gunners take on Mark Hughes’ side.
While the World Cup winning German was unavailable, Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista stepped in and assumed command of the centre of defence and is yet to concede a goal. However, with the German fit again, there is little doubt that Wenger will keep him out of the side, even with the Brazilian in such good form.
The German international joined Arsenal in 2011 from Bundesliga side Werder Bremen and has since made 171 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side and in that time has won two FA Cups and two Community Shields. As such he has become invaluable to the current Arsenal side, being named vice-captain and undoubtedly still has a few years of service left to offer to the club.
