By Matthew Morlidge and Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 04:17 EST, 20 September 2013 | UPDATED: 06:43 EST, 20 September 2013

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mikel Arteta is in contention for a return from injury for this Sunday's  game against Stoke.

The vice-captain, 31, has yet to feature in this campaign after tearing his quadricep during pre-season.

But the news that the 'leader' is back in full training is a welcome one for the Gunners, who have no other mid-week concerns following their 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League.

Welcome return: Mikel Arteta is back in contention after recovering from a torn quadracep

Welcome return: Mikel Arteta is back in contention after recovering from a torn quadracep

THIS WEEKEND'S ODDS

Arsenal to win 2-0 - 11/2

Olivier Giroud first goalscorer - 3/1

Aaron Ramsey to score anytime - 11/4

Stoke to win - 8/1

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'There are no new injuries,' Wenger said in his pre-match press conference.

'Arteta returns to full training today and could be back in the squad. He is one of our leaders and we are happy to have him back.'

The game at the Emirates gives Aaron Ramsey a chance to carry on his goalscoring form, after scoring six goals in all competitions this season.

It is also an opportunity to put some fears behind him against the Potters, after he broke his leg against them at the Britannia Stadium in 2010.

Wenger believes his recent success comes as a result of his recovery being complete.

He said: 'It took him a long time to get completely over the injury. He showed a resistance to go into the fight for a long time. He's added goals to his game now, I always thought he could do that.

'I've noticed in the last three months of last season that he was finally over the injury. I never feared he wouldn't come back. If you have an injury under the age of 20, you always have time to get back to your best.'

In-form: Aaron Ramsey put in another fine performance, including a goal, against Marseille on Wednesday

In-form: Aaron Ramsey put in another fine performance, including a goal, against Marseille on Wednesday

Leg break: As have Stoke in general, no more so in the 09/10 season when Ramsey's leg was broken

Painful: Stoke are a tricky side, as Ramsey will know when he broke his leg against them in the 09/10 season

A BOGEY REFEREE?

Arsenal have won just 7% of their games when referee Mike Dean has been in charge of their games since 2009/10.

The run, lasting 15 games, includes just the one win and nine losses.

Arsenal were never really in contention for the title last season, instead fighting for a fourth-place spot with Tottenham for the majority of the campaign.

But after some strong performances up until now, the French boss isn't ruling out Premier League glory on this occasion.

'I believe we have a chance to win the title,' he said. 'I have to make sure we can grab that chance. You have to be cautious because after one bad result you're back in a crisis.'

Deadline day 42.5m signing Mesut Ozil has been the subject of criticism from Florentino Perez recently, with his former Real Madrid president claiming the German 'couldn't handle the pressure of Madrid'.

But Wenger feels the 24-year-old is the complete professional, and will only improve in north London.

'No, I have not seen that at all,' said Wenger when asked if Ozil looked like a player seeking the easy life away from Madrid.

'He is 24, he has over 50 caps for Germany and when you play for Germany, you are under a lot of pressure. He won the championship with Real Madrid, and that is a club where there is a lot of pressure, but I could not detect that.

Tricky: Arsene Wenger is expecting a difficult match on Sunday

Chance: Arsene Wenger is expecting a shot at the title this season

Star man: Mesut Ozil is in line for his first game at the Emirates after making his Champions League debut for the Gunners

Star man: Mesut Ozil is in line for his first game at the Emirates after making his Champions League debut for the Gunners

'Ozil has integrated well, and been well accepted.

'I think he is not at the top physically yet, overall we are very pleased to have him with us, but he will demand a bit of time to adjust to the vigorous body challenges he will face here in the Premier league.

'Once he has done that, he will be even stronger.'

On the subject of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, a player linked with a move to Arsenal this past summer, Wenger was dismissive of any potential January switch.

He added: 'I think he will stay there now because he wasn't the same. Will he sign a new deal at United? I don't know.'


The comments below have not been moderated.

Gawd n Bennett Cyril put a sock in it!!! Every day the same connects. Fickle this fickle that. You're as boring as your club mate. Change the record. Zzzzz

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Great to have Arteta back, our midfield is class: Ozil, Cazorla (can play LW/RW too), Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini are all exceptional players. I haven't mentioned Diaby, although he's a good player he is rarely on the pitch, sadly. ,

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Where's egg breath gone? Not complaining mind as his endless one eyed drivel is tedium personified but still wouldn't mind hearing how he justifys the gooners fickleness.

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Good to hear that he could be back in the team the more bodies the better! It is too early to say Arsenal can win the title but the way this season started to looks like any team can win it

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@ Tricktrack for goodness sake man let it go Ramsay got injured he got over it (sort of) now do the same.Don`t let us nasty nawvners trouble you or you`ll never sleep bless. S.C.F.C

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- Martin , London, 20/9/2013 14:40 I don't think Arsenal fans were nasty to Wenger. Wenger tried to prove a point by trying to win trophies without spending. he stubbornly refused to spend and alienated a lot of supporters but nobody really wanted him to leave. I'm an independent but to me Arsenal now have the chance to dominate the PL. If they can buy a few more world class players, they might even pick up a few CL trophies, although Bale/Ronaldo and Neymar/Messi will be tough. as far as PL is concerned, I think gunners can dominate.

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People say that we have a thin squad. I don''t think so, let me explain: Our first team right now is scezney -Sagna,Per,Kos,Gibbs -Flamini,Ramsey -Walcott,Ozil,Wilshere- Giroud The bench is like this: Fab, Jenk, Tv5, Monreal, Arteta, Gnarby, Apkom. The players injred are AOC, PODO, Rosicky, Yaya, Diaby I am not mentionning (Viviano, Ryo and Bentder) once the injered players will come in, and they are all very good players, they will replace Gnarby and Apkom on the bench and one of them (AOC, Podo, Rosicky) will not be able even to make the bench. can you imagine ? if we add a new striker, it would be great of course and it will create competition which is good for the team. I just wanted to highlight and to answer the critics. Gooner 4 ever

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The return of Arteta means Arsenal has a fantastic line up of top midfielders who can also score and defend. Perhaps Arsene Wenger will consider playing total football by fielding all his best midfielders. It will be exciting to watch.

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Scotchy of Eggdom , London, United Kingdom - such a typical Gooner response. Why count the trophies in Wenger's reign? Why not count them in the last eight years? Or not count them at all and respond to the point - the point being, that apart from the start of this season, despite his horrendous injury, you Gooner fans have been nothing but disgusting to him. Just like the ridiculous reaction to your defeat at Villa when many called for Wenger's head and spouted their venom on numerous video clips on a forum. Fickle fans who now pretend they've supported Ramsey, and Wenger, and Walcott and whoever else though thick and think. At least Ramsay knows his performances are down to the support of his manager, certainly not down to support from the terraces.

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Arteta will only make the subs bench. Bring him on after half time ......after Ramsey has got his hat trick.

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