FC Schalke 04 attacking midfielder and Arsenal transfer target Julian Draxler made his return from injury last night against FSV Mainz 05.
Draxler came off the bench with 25 minutes remaining on the clock, but was unable to break the deadlock, and the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the Bundesliga.
Schalke may have had to settle for a single point from the game, but the Gelsenkirchen side had won their four previous league games, and remain in hot pursuit of UEFA Champions League qualification.
Draxler was widely linked with Arsenal both last summer and in the January transfer window, with Arsene Wenger reportedly wanting to convert the attacking midfielder into a striker in the vein of Robin Van Persie.
With a €45 million (£37.1m) release clause, he is expected to depart Veltins-Arena at the end of the season.
“It was important for me to soak up the atmosphere after such a long time of suffering,” said Draxler after the game.
“I was still lacking in fitness and match practice.
“I think Mainz put in a great performance. They are a very uncomfortable opponent, and we saw that for long stretches of the game.
“They did not allow us many scoring opportunities. That’s why we can live with the draw.”
Draxler has also been linked with Bayern Munich in recent weeks.
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