The 20-year-old returned to full training earlier this week, while Arsene Wenger confirmed the winger is available to face Aston Villa on Monday

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been handed a start for Arsenal’s Under-21 side as he steps his returns from a knee injury.

The 20-year-old has been sidelined since the first game of the season against Aston Villa but returned to first-team training earlier this week.

Prior to being named in the Under-21 team which faces Fulham at Motspur Park, Arsene Wenger revealed Oxlade-Chamberlain would be fit to face Aston Villa on Monday.

“It is unbelievable because he played the first game of the season, against Aston Villa, and now he is back and available and it is against Aston Villa again,” said the Arsenal manager.

“That makes it five months where has been completely out, so that means he is fresh and that should give us a boost.”

Carl Jenkinson also insists the return of the winger following Theo Walcott’s season-ending knee injury is a welcome boost to the club.

“He’s a really good friend of mine but football-wise, he’s a fantastic player who brings an awful lot to the team,” Jenkinson told the club’s official website.

“To have him back in and around the group is a boost for everyone – he’s only young but he’s a key member of the squad.”