Four players return to Arsenal training before Atletico clash

Arsenal players Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech, Sead Kolasinac and Jack Wilshere on Wednesday returned to practice on the eve of the first leg match of the Europa League semifinals against Atletico Madrid.

The four players missed Sunday's English Premier League (EPL) match against West Ham United due to injury or illness, reports Efe.

Ozil missed the match against the 'Hammers' due to illness, while Cech had a small ailment in the hip and Wilshere and Kolasinac suffered from ankle injuries.

Absent from Wednesday's session were Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who exercised alone, and midfielder Mohamed Elneny, recovering from injury.

Neither Mkhitaryan nor Elneny will be available for Thursday's game against Atletico at home, although Mkhitaryan could return in time for an away match against Manchester United on Sunday.

Arsenal is to host Atletico Madrid on Thursday night in the first leg of the Europa League semifinals, which will be the last European match at home for veteran coach Arsene Wenger, who will leave the Gunners bench in June after 22 years of leading the club.

--IANS

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