Per Mertesacker is closing in on a return to fitness and looks well on the road to recovery in a video he posted on his Facebook page.

The German, who picked up a knee injury that required surgery back in July, is not expected back in the Arsenal squad until the new year, but the sight of him up on his feet is sure to warm the hearts of Gooners everywhere.

It looks like he will play a bit-part role in the season, despite being handed the armband, and with his contract up in the summer, it will be up to Per to show that he has recovered enough from the injury to warrant a new deal.

Here he is going through his paces: