Mesut Ozil returns to first-team training in major boost to Arsenal
The German has overcome illness and could face Huddersfield on Wednesday (Picture: Getty) Mesut Ozil..
Mesut Ozil returned to training on Tuesday afternoon and is back in contention to take on Huddersfield in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash.
The German missed the weekend win over Burnley through illness, but has recovered sufficiently to take part in the final practice session before the Terriers visit north London on Wednesday evening.
Arsene Wenger will still need to make a late call on whether Ozil has recovered sufficiently to start, though he looked fit and sharp in training.
Ozil looked in good spirits during Tuesday’s session, and took to Twitter afterwards to let everyone know he was feeling himself again.
‘Back in team training #COYG,’ he tweeted, alongside a thumbs up emoji.
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Arsenal lacked his creative spark in the weekend win over Burnley, only claiming three points thanks to a somewhat fortuitous penalty in stoppage time.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference prior to training, Wenger confirmed: ‘From Sunday’s games, of course we had not Ozil.
‘He has planned to practice again today, we’ll make an assessment after the training session.
‘Alex Iwobi got a kick on his leg, a dead leg, and we’re not sure he’ll be available again.
Arsenal 2017/18 fixtures
Huddersfield (H) – Wed Nov 29
Manchester United (H) – Sat Dec 2
BATE Borisov (H) – Thurs Dec 7 (Europa League)
Southampton (A) – Sun Dec 10
West Ham (A) – Wed Dec 13
Newcastle United (H) – Sat Dec 16
West Ham United (H) – Tues Dec 19(EFL Cup)
Liverpool (H) – Fri Dec 22
‘Everyone else should be available.’
Theo Walcott had also missed several matches this season through illness, though Wenger says Ozil’s issue is unrelated: ‘No. no, it’s not a virus no.’
