Arsenal have had to cope with too many injuries in the ongoing season - a menace that has played a negative role on their results and if we are to make a pictograph, the defence will have the greatest share.
While some stars like Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck have been completely ruled out of the season, others are either on the verge of returning or have done so recently.
Yesterday's injury news update from Unai Emery confirmed that Granit Xhaka, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are all back in time to contend for a place in the squad for Saturday's away clash at Huddersfield Town.
Before the revelation from the boss, the Arsenal official Twitter handle had tweeted an image showing Sokratis Papastathopoulos in light training.
The Greek international suffered an ankle ligament problem on January 25 when Arsenal hosted Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the Emirates and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Later scans showed that he will be out till the end of February but from the announcement made by the club, he is now around though not yet set for serious field action.
This development gladdened the hearts of Arsenal faithfuls who went into a frenzy on the social media platform. See some reactions below:
Come back quick PAPA. Can't see the clown Mustafi every match— Shrithik Kothari (@ShrithikKothari) February 7, 2019
Welcome back Papa. We need more players like you with character in this club— K_rossi (@K__rossi) February 7, 2019
This guy is the only defender we have— Ramatsoma Bongani (@bobobeezybongz) February 7, 2019
Please tell me he's back😄— Uncle Mean Andolini🌹 (@MeanAndolini) February 7, 2019
Yeeeeeeeaaaaahhhh....Papa is back👊— DanlinOmondiDondinho (@DDondinho) February 7, 2019
It is not surprising to see the way fans are heaping praise on the defender. Anyone that has watched Arsenal games he featured in will understand why. His commitment and expertise in the job has many a times helped the Gunners concede less and they have suffered so much in his absence.
It is still unknown when exactly Papa will begin to play again but the good news is that the €19m summer signing from Borussia Dortmund is making reasonable progress.
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