Ozil nears Arsenal return as Diaby resumes training

Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2014 by Goal.com

The German should be fit enough for Sunday's league trip to the KC Stadium to face Hull City, but the French midfielder will be eased in slowly after a long injury lay-off

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Mesut Ozil is expected to be available for Arsenal's Premier League clash with Hull City on Sunday, while Abou Diaby is set to return to full training this week.

Germany international Ozil has not featured for the Gunners since a 1-0 loss to Stoke City at the start of March, having picked up a hamstring injury, while Diaby has not made a single appearance for the club this season having torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last year.

However, Arsenal will be boosted by the news that their club-record signing could be fit to face Hull in a dress rehearsal of the FA Cup final, while Diaby is ready to make a long-awaited return to training - though Wenger is keen not to risk the injury-prone midfielder too soon.

"Ozil should be available for the weekend," said the French boss after his side's 3-1 victory over West Ham on Tuesday night that saw them reclaim fourth place in the league table.

"Diaby is back in full training on Thursday. It's very difficult to say because he's not played for over a year now.

"It's difficult for me but he looks physically fine but he has to play one or two games before I can consider bringing him back."

Despite the absence of Ozil, Arsenal claimed a hard-fought victory over West Ham on Tuesday that saw them leapfrog Everton and take back fourth spot, with goals from Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud sealing the three points.