Alex Iwobi returns to full training ahead of Arsenal's clash against Southampton

Arsenal have received a major boost on the fitness front going into their home game against Southampton on Saturday (10 September) with Alex Iwobi returning to first-team training after a spell out on the sidelines and Olivier Giroud hinting that he is fit to return to the starting XI after only being used as a substitute thus far this season.

The Nigerian forward suffered a thigh injury during the Gunners' opening game of the Premier League season against Liverpool, and has missed the last two games against Leicester City and Watford. Iwobi remained at London Colney during the ongoing international break and according to the Mirror has now returned to full training ahead of the games against the Saints.

The France international, on the other hand, returned to training just a week prior to the start of the 2016/17 campaign and was not fit enough to be involved from the start. He came on as a second-half substitute against Leicester after missing the opening game against Liverpool, but remained on the bench for the game against Watford just prior to the international break.

Giroud has played just 12 minutes of Premier League football thus far this campaign, but featured in both games for France during the international break. He played 45 minutes in their friendly against Italy and 83 minutes during their 0-0 draw against Belarus in the 2018 World Cup qualifier. The striker has now hinted that he is ready to return to the starting lineup, as he believes his lack of match of fitness at the start of the campaign was the only reason he was on the bench as Arsene Wenger preferred to use Alexis Sanchez in the number nine role rather than on the wings.

"It is down to a lack of training since I got back from holiday," Giroud said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"It if had been a priority, the manager would have asked me to come back sooner. That wasn't the case. Don't worry, everything is fine. I'm used to people doubting me. Since the start of my career, it has been the same.

"Maybe I need that so I don't get too comfortable but between last season and the Euros, I've got no reason to doubt myself," he added.

The Nigerian forward suffered a thigh injury during the Gunners' opening game of the Premier League season against Liverpool, and has missed the last two games against Leicester City and Watford. Iwobi remained at London Colney during the ongoing international break and according to the Mirror has now returned to full training ahead of the games against the Saints.