By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 17:18 EST, 16 September 2013 | UPDATED: 17:18 EST, 16 September 2013

Arsenal are confident Per Mertesacker will recover from a virus in time for their Champions League opener against Marseille on Wednesday.

The Germany international missed Saturday's victory over Sunderland through illness and is a doubt for the trip to France.

But the giant central defender is expected to fly with his team-mates to the French Riviera as they get their Champions League group - which also includes Borussia Dortmund and Napoli - underway.

Set to return: Arsenal hope Per Mertesacker will be fit to face Marseille on Wednesday

Set to return: Arsenal hope Per Mertesacker will be fit to face Marseille on Wednesday

The news comes as a major boost to manager Arsene Wenger as he prepares his side for another crack at European glory.

Right-back Bacary Sagna was used as a makeshift central-defender at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, but Mertesacker's return will allow the France international to move to his more familiar position.

Wenger is also confident Olivier Giroud, who sustained an ankle injury against the Black Cats, will be fit to face Marseille.

Scoring for fun: Olivier Giroud has been in the goals so far this season

Scoring for fun: Olivier Giroud has been in the goals so far this season

However, Arsenal are still without a string of first-team regulars including Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta, Lukas Podolski and Abou Diaby.

Meanwhile, Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda has ordered his side to keep close tabs on Arsenal's club-record signing Mesut Ozil.

Following his impressive Barclays Premier League bow on Saturday, the Germany playmaker will make his Champions League debut for Arsenal in Marseille.

Scoring for fun: Olivier Giroud has been in the goals so far this season

Danger man: Mesut Ozil provides the attacking threat for Arsenal

'Ozil has increased Arsenal's level in attack,' said the France international. 

'His arrival has taken Arsenal to another level and he is perfect for the style of football and play that Wenger likes. I never expected Real Madrid to allow him to leave.

'Also, Giroud is in a sensational moment of form. We have to stop them from scoring and creating danger but that will not be easy. They look a very strong team.

'This Champions League Group is terrific. For any club to progress, every game must be like a final and you have to win your home games. 

'Unless you do that, you have no chance.' 

The comments below have not been moderated.

Hope Ozil can be the catalyst for them to transform opportunity into results. That's been their weakness these past years of relative drought. That and on field leadership since Cesc and RVP left.

Report abuse

After a long time I am actually looking forward to see arsenal play each game!! what magic one player can do to bring back enthusiasm ! I'm sure Ozils presence has brought the dressing room atmosphere to another level ! Btw i cant wait to see this = cazorla+ozil+giroud+poldi! can it get any better?

Report abuse

everybody is scared of ozil. hope Theo capitalises of those through balls this time.

Report abuse

Oh, man! I don't remember when was the last time I'd looked forward to watching Arsenal's match so much. My enthusiasm had thinned since the departure of Cesc, Nasir, Song & RVP but I simply can't bring myself to give up supporting the team no matter how my heart hurts whenever they played so inconsistently. Oh! How Ozil has rekindled that excitement I once had. Now, I can't wait to watch every of Arsenal's games. Fast Forward.....FF....FF!

Report abuse

COYG

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.