Arsenal boosted by return to fitness of star player ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Arsenal have been handed a major boost by the return to fitness of key defender Shkodran Mustafi. 

The Germany international has been missing for just over two weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Stoke. 

But he has resumed full training and could feature against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. 

The news comes as a key boost to Arsene Wenger as he looks to haul down league leaders Chelsea. 

Mustafi, a £34million arrival from Valencia in the summer, has formed a formidable central-defensive partnership with Laurent Koscielny this season. 

Arsenal have not lost a game Mustafi has featured in so far this season. Similarly, they have lost two of the three Premier League games he has missed owing to the hamstring injury. 

Danny Welbeck, who has missed eight months with a knee injury, could also be considered for a first-team return after stepping up his training plan this week. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Theo Walcott (calf) and Kieran Gibbs (knee) are set to miss the visit of Palace.