Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker continues to step up his recovery from injury and has taken to Twitter to share his delight.
The German international has been sidelined since the summer after sustaining a serious knee injury during pre-season and so has yet to feature for the Gunners at all this season.
With Skhodran Mustafi now sidelined, Arsene Wenger is able to show off his depth with Gabriel likely to step in and deputise, but having Mertesacker available in the weeks ahead will also be a massive boost.
Although the 32-year-old is unlikely to get into the team immediately, his presence in training, in the dressing room and on the bench will be welcomed by Wenger and the rest of the squad as they look to maintain their impressive start to the season.
It's been a long road but feels so amazing to be back training properly with the @Arsenal boys again and I feel great! #AVeryHappyBFG ?????? pic.twitter.com/8Z81gIST5B
— Per Mertesacker (@mertesacker) December 13, 2016
Mertesacker’s leadership and experience will be big assets in the weeks and months ahead as Arsenal look to continue to contend for silverware both domestically and in Europe, and so any further depth will be a boost with a hectic Christmas schedule also likely to test the strength of the Arsenal squad.