Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker deemed fit for Marseille trip

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Per Mertesacker will be fit for the Gunners' opening Champions League group stage encounter against Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

The German International defender who captained the North London outfit during the Champions League play-offs against Fenerbahce, was forced to miss Saturday's 3-1 win at Sunderland in the Premier League.

Wenger told the club's official website :"There is good news.

"Mertesacker will be available again after illness."

However, striker Olivier Giroud remains a doubt to feature for the Gunners having incurred a knee injury on Saturday.