[Photos] Triple Boost For Arsenal: Bellerin, Giroud & Mertesacker Resume Training

Arsenal have been handed a triple injury boost after Hector Bellerin, Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud all returned to training this afternoon.

Bellerin has been on the sidelines since suffering ankle ligament damage during our 1-1 draw with Tottenham at the Emirates a month ago and he’s been forced to sit out our last five matches in all competitions.

However, the Spanish under-21 full-back has been snapped back out on the training pitches at London Colney this afternoon as the players undertook their final preparations ahead of Tuesday’s night’s Champions League clash with Basel.

Based on the photos below, it looks as though Bellerin is not yet back in full training and was doing some individual work away from the main group so he’s unlikely to be involved tomorrow but it appears he could be set to make his comeback soon.

One player who should be back in the squad on Tuesday is Giroud as the French international was back in full training today after recovering from a minor groin injury which has seen him miss the last two games against Southampton and West Ham.

Mertesacker is yet to feature this season after suffering a serious knee injury in pre-season but after undergoing a lengthy rehabilitation programme back in his homeland, the German defender is back in north London and has now resumed light training.

The centre-back is still several weeks away from being back in contention for the first team as he’ll need to rebuild his fitness but it’s great to see Per at London Colney again and I expect he’ll be available during the early part of the New Year.

Here are some photos from today’s training session via Arsenal’s Getty Images page: