Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s Big F’n German, gives high praise for getting him ready for this weekend’s Chelsea match.

Having been almost written off for the match with the league leaders, Mertesacker told Arsenal Player, “It’s a big miracle and I have to give a huge thanks to all the people who contributed, especially our medical team who did a fantastic job to get all the fluid out of my ankle after I twisted it badly.”

He went on to say, “I didn’t expect to play the following week but I’m happy and I have to give a huge thanks to all who contributed to make it possible for me to feature.”

Mertesacker limped off the pitch during the FA Cup semi-final against Reading last weekend with a sprained ankle. Arsene Wenger stated that he hadn’t trained and was only ‘50/50‘ during his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

For the central defender to be match fit only three days later is quite an achievement. It also marks the fourth time in four weeks that a player has been injured and only spent a week or less in the treatment room.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin inflammation) remains Arsenal’s only injured player.

This is a huge statement on the impact Shad Forsythe and his revamped training regimen and medical staff have made this season.