Granit Xhaka returns to first-team training ahead of trip to Southampton
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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has returned to first-team training after sustaining a sprained right ankle during the Gunners’ Premier League clash versus Manchester City.
The 27-year-old was stretchered off just after five minutes versus the Citizens and was also forced to skip Arsenal’s visit to Brighton last Saturday.
While initially feared to miss at least two to three weeks of football, Xhaka’s return to training will be positive news for head coach Mikel Arteta.
The Swiss midfielder could even return to the starting lineup on Thursday depending on how he fares in training.
Meanwhile, the club shared mixed medical reports earlier this evening. Doctors confirmed that Bernd Leno had not suffered ligament damage and will aim to return to training in the next four to six weeks while forward Gabriel Martinelli could be out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
During his press conference earlier this evening, Arteta shared more about Martinelli’s injury. “In training in the last action he got hit by another player and he’s damaged his knee. The doctor is assessing the extent of the injury, but it’s not looking good at all,” he said. “We don’t know [how long he’s going to be out for], but it’s looking like months.”
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Thursday when they travel to Southampton, their third fixture since the league resumed.