Mesut Ozil back in training with Arsenal and says he is ready to return against Stoke City on Saturday - Premier League - Football - The Independent

The official reason given for German playmaker's absence against Sunderland was a dead leg, although the club's record signing has struggled in England over the last few weeks, and his last appearance was a below-par effort against Bayern Munich, in which his tame penalty was saved by international team-mate Manuel Neuer in the 2-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg defeat at the Emirates Stadium.

The 25-year-old, who was signed for £42.5m from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day in September, took to Facebook today to say that he is back in training and available for the Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium this weekend.

"Back in training after my injury. Getting ready for the match on Saturday," he wrote, alongside a picture of himself in training today.

Arsenal: The latest match pictures

The statistics back up the argument that Ozil's performances have suffered because he was in need of a rest - he has completed 12 Premier League matches for the Gunners this season, already two more league games than he completed for Real Madrid in La Liga for the whole of last season.

Read more: Ozil left out of Sunderland clash
Ozil allowed extra time away from training to recapture his best form
Wenger: Ozil could be like Dennis Bergkamp and never take a penalty again
Ozil 'visibly tired' says Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov

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