Per Mertesacker has returned to first team training for the first time since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in pre-season.

The 32-year-old, who spoke recently about his desire to earn a new contract at the Emirates, has been working on a return to fitness back in Germany after undergoing surgery in early August but is now back with his teammates as he looks to make a first team return in the new year.

There is further good news on the injury front today with Hector Bellerin and Olivier Giroud also taking part in training ahead of the trip to Switzerland. The Spaniard, who has been out for three weeks with ankle ligament damage, is unlikely to travel, however, the French striker, who missed the matches with Southampton and West Ham due to a slight groin strain, could be included in the squad.

With Danny Welbeck on the mend, it means Santi Cazorla and Mathieu Debuchy are the only players likely to be out for the long-term.

Thanks to resident youth expert @jeorgebird for the updates. We’ll have more team news when Wenger faces the media in his pre-Basel press conference later