Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira are both available for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Everton on Sunday after missing their midweek Europa League win over Olympiakos.
The midfield duo missed the trip to Greece, with Ozil staying behind in London because his wife is due to give birth and Torreira struggling with an illness.
January loan signing Pablo Mari has been working on his match fitness after joining from Flamengo and could be in contention to make his debut against the Toffees.
Having not played a competitive senior game since Flamengo’s 1-0 extra time loss to Liverpool in the Club World Cup final back in December, the Spaniard played 45 minutes for the under-23s against Chelsea.
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Speaking after that appearance, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta spoke of his ‘surprise’ at Mari’s ‘attitude and commitment’, saying: “Well, I watched the game but I could not be there for a personal reason.
“But, I was very glad that those two were there to support him. When he joined the club he hadn’t played for a long time and he had a little niggle as well when he joined us, but his attitude and commitment has been really, really good and highly surprising.
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“He did really well the other day and hopefully we can start to use him soon.”
Although Mari seems raring to go, fellow January addition Cedric Soares is still unavailable with an ongoing knee problem.
According to the club’s official website, the Portuguese international is “progressing well with gym work” and “aiming to be in full training by the end of February.”
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Kieran Tierney and Calum Chambers are long-term absentees, with Tierney also “aiming to be in back in full training by the end of February” and Chambers undergoing surgery on his left knee.
“[His] rehabilitation process expected to take between six to nine months”, with Hector Bellerin being assessed ahead of the game after missing the Olympiacos clash “as a precaution to tight left groin”.
Arsenal provisional squad: Leno, Martinez, Bellerin, Papastathopoulos, Luiz, Mustafi, Mari, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira, Xhaka, Willock, Ceballos, Saka, Ozil, Pepe, Nelson, Lacazette, Martinelli, Nketiah, Aubameyang.
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