
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.
Godswill
September 20, 2013 at 11:42 am
Great gunners I greet u all, as for mikel arteta coming into d team direct Is a good thing to hear but I thing flamini should continue because he is doing well.
rumor monger
September 20, 2013 at 12:01 pm
flamini is doing fine, so in as much as the fitness of arteta is a boost I think he should sit at least for 1 more week on the bench.
Bremz 21
September 20, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Gud Afternoon Gunners, finally things are starting to look gud 4 us. I think Arteta will start on the bench. Suddenly our bench is starting to look strong, Arteta, TV5 and Monreal. We are on the up…… Go Gunners
Omoboriowo
September 20, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Is a god news 4 us as mikel ateta is bak . But not straight to the first eleven, we need him but nt 2 that estence, let him play 4r the bench so the guy we read the game very well to the time he would av that 1oo percentage feet. That is my pert. Thanx
heniorla
September 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Bravo welcome back Mikel arteta
Fatolu Oluwarotimi
September 20, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Dis is gud news 4 d team n all d fans, i tink arteta shld start frm d bench dis wknd n fully involve in capital one cup on wed against West Brom.
Okedara gbenga
September 20, 2013 at 12:35 pm
It is a good news 4 all arsenal fans in d world
Tolani
September 20, 2013 at 12:38 pm
This is fantastic, welcome back Mikel
Ajoge A
September 20, 2013 at 12:44 pm
It’s a gud 1 we have him back. Let him make d bench against stock city nd play capital one cup.
tochi
September 20, 2013 at 12:45 pm
welcome back mikel ateta
Phemo Alaska
September 20, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Gr8 news 4 all gunners family,bt he should nt rush back 2 the startn 11 rather play him in carling cup 2 gain more fitness
chika emmanuel
September 20, 2013 at 12:55 pm
I tank God 4that i tink is betta 4him to start on bench this wekend
Esan olayiwola lawrence
September 20, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Arteta super power,well come back,let him come frm the bench,and start on wenesday,we hapy to av him back….am ola osaze frm pleasure iyanapaja…lagos
emmason
September 20, 2013 at 1:17 pm
hello to my Arsenal family all over the world..its really good news to have him back..I hope he starts from the bench against stoke.. you don’t change a winning team.. thanks all.. ARSENAL till JESUS comes
adekunle tokunbo
September 20, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Goodnes for the gunners! let him start from the bench and on tuesday, he can start.
Mike Kervell
September 20, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Looking good for the season, beware all other team we are looking good and getting stronger by the week, be scared , very scared !
Ventim Henry
September 20, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Love you all my Gunners fans allover the world.Happy to have him back .He should be played at the right time,coz its never well to break a winning squad.
Elyas Mulati
September 20, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Jambo zuri hilo
bilezzy
September 20, 2013 at 8:46 pm
gr8 2 av our gr8 europe passer bk 2 d winin squad. Mikel A. W’lcum bk, UP GUNNERS.