ARSENE WENGER has been handed a huge title boost after key duo Hector Bellerin and Per Mertesacker returned to training on Monday.
Arsenal are looking to go one step further than last season’s second-place finish and are just three points off leaders Chelsea.
Wenger’s men have only lost once this season and came through November unscathed after finding the month problematic in the past.
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Fans are now dreaming of a first title win since the Invincibles in 2004, and the tough run of fixtures this winter will be made a little bit easier by the return of star right-back Bellerin.
The academy graduate rejected a return to Barcelona last month when he penned a new £100,000-a-week contract.
Bellerin was also attracting interest from Manchester City and he will be welcomed back into the starting XI shortly after centre-back Gabriel Paulista was forced out of position as cover.
The sight of captain Mertesacker being put through his paces will also be a welcome relief to supporters, with the German yet to make an appearance this season.
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Mertesacker is out of contract next summer and is expected to leave the Emirates, but still has a role to play in the campaign.
Compatriot Shkodran Mustafi has taken his place alongside Laurent Koscielny, but Mertesacker is unlikely to move on until next summer in order to realise his dream of a title win.
Meanwhile, Wenger led the rest of his men onto the training field on a freezing cold morning at London Colney, with Alexis Sanchez showing off his prowess in front of goal once again.
The Chilean netted a superb hat-trick against West Ham on Sunday and is now level in the scoring charts with Chelsea hitman Diego Costa.
In fact, Arsenal’s recent form has been so good that Wenger is not planning to dip into the upcoming transfer market for reinforcements.
The Gunners boss is confident his current crop of stars have enough quality to pip their rivals to top spot, but he is sure to embark on another spree next summer, with £100million lying untouched in his transfer kitty.
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