Arsenal have been boosted by Shkodran Mustafi’s return to training.

The German has been out since October with a groin injury he picked up playing for Germany against Azerbaijan.

He was expected to return in time for the Tottenham game, but had to undergo a late test to see if he was ready.

According to the Evening Standard, Mustafi trained ahead of the game and looks available for selection.

We’ll now see if Arsene Wenger includes him in his starting XI straight away, or if he’ll rely on Per Mertesacker or Rob Holding again.

Given the length of Mustafi’s absence, Wenger may opt to ease him back into action, rather than throw him straight into a game as intense as the North London derby.

The trip to Cologne next Thursday might be a better game for him to return in.

In other injury news, Danny Welbeck has also trained during the week and should be available for the Spurs game.

That leaves Olivier Giroud as the only short-term absentee. The Frenchman picked up a minor knock while he was away with France and will miss the Tottenham game.

Santi Cazorla remains out for the foreseeable future.