Arsenal Receive Major Injury Boost Ahead Of Stoke Clash

Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost ahead of the visit of Stoke City to the Emirates on Sunday with boss Arsene Wenger confirming midfielder Mikel Arteta has returned to full training today.

The Spanish midfielder has not played yet this season after suffering a thigh strain on the eve of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa last month.

It was initially feared that Arteta would face at least six weeks on the sidelines but it looks as though he’s returned a week earlier than first though with Wenger confirming at his pre-match press conference that the 31-year-old will take part in full training today.

The French boss will then assess his fitness and make a final decision over his inclusion against Stoke on Saturday.

‘Arteta returns to full training today and could be back in the squad. He is one of our leaders and we are happy to have him back.’ Wenger was quoted as saying today by the Daily Mail

Arteta was a hugely influential figure in Arsenal’s midfield last season and the Gunners have seen their squad decimated by injury in recent weeks, so his return will come as a massive boost.

However, Aaron Ramsey has flourished in his absence while new signing Mathieu Flamini has also been praised for his tenacious display’s at the heart of midfield, so it remains to be seen whether Arteta will come straight back in to the starting eleven or be forced to wait for his chance.

Do you think Arteta should come straight back in? Or should Wenger continue with Flamini and Ramsey? Share your views below.