Arsenal have received a significant boost as Mikel Merino has returned to training, while Riccardo Calafiori has shaken off injury concerns.
The Gunners are set to host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night in their second Champions League fixture of the season.
Calafiori raised concerns after appearing to injure himself while celebrating a teammate’s goal during Saturday’s victory over Leicester City.
Meanwhile, Merino, sidelined due to a freak training accident just before the start of the season, has yet to make his debut. However, he now seems close to full fitness, having resumed light training last week.
Before the Leicester game, manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Merino is pushing for his debut, and the Spaniard now appears to be on track to achieve that soon.
He was spotted participating in Arsenal’s final training session ahead of the PSG clash.
Joining him was Calafiori, who also seems to have recovered from the injury scare he experienced on Saturday.
Their participation in training comes after Arteta downplayed any updates on potential injury returns.
However, he did acknowledge that Calafiori’s fitness had been in question heading into the weekend.
“No news, we have a training session this afternoon and we have to review a few players, but overall, especially [anyone] returning, there’s nothing to give back,” Arteta said when asked for an update on injuries.
“Those [ Ben White and Calafiori] are the two players that are in contention and we have to review today.
“We didn’t do any training sessions yesterday, [Riccardo] was a bit emotional after the game, so let’s see how he is today.”
Calafiori’s absence would have been a significant setback for Arsenal, as the fullback has made an outstanding start to the season.
Arteta was eager to praise the Italian for his impressive performances during his first few months at the Emirates.
“How willing he is. The moment I spoke with him on the phone for the first time, he wanted to come her,” the Arsenal manager added.
“He understood what we wanted straight away and he felt that he was going to be a perfect fit here and he was.
“He landed with the biggest smile on his face. He’s got this energy and aura around him.
“He’s very likeable and he’s a fighter, a player that wanted to play in the way we want to play and he’d do anything for the team.
“When you have those qualities, a lot would have to go wrong for you not to succeed.
“With all the players, we try to give them and their families the best possible environment to fill in the best way.
“I think he appreciates the effort that the club and staff have made since his arrival to make his life as good as possible and I think he’s enjoying it.”
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