PHOTO: £22m Schurrle back at Chelsea, so where are Arsenal’s German trio?

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Andre Schurrle is back training at Chelsea, so where are Arsenal’s World Cup winning trio?

Chelsea welcomed back Andre Schurrle to full training this week, but London rivals Arsenal are still waiting for their German stars to turn up.

Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, and Lukas Podolski are not expected back with the Gunners until August 11, with Arsene Wenger blaming FIFA regulations for imposing a set holiday time after the World Cup.

But either Jose Mourinho received a different memo, or Andre Schurrle decided to cut his break short and ignore the legislation, for the attacker was pictured back on the training pitch at Cobham on both Monday and Tuesday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already expressed his concern that by arriving back late, the trio are at risk of missing the club’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.

Schurrle played less World Cup time than Ozil and Mertesacker, but Podolski featured for only 53 minutes, yet is being given an entire month off.

Wenger may have more respect for the ‘rules’ than Mourinho, but if their international teammate Schurrle is motivated enough to head back early to gain an edge for the new season, it’s fair to ask questions as to why Ozil, Mertesacker and Podolski are not.

Meanwhile over at Real Madrid, Sami Khedira and Toni Kroos also returned to first team training yesterday, posing further questions over Arsenal’s approach.

Perhaps the long-term benefit of a month off will have benefits later in the season, but with the season about to kick off, you would think the Gunners stars would be chomping at the bit to return.