Gabriel Jesus isn't the only Arsenal player nearing a return to action following injury as OGC Nice head coach Didier Digard has delivered a positive update on Nicolas Pepe.
The winger, who is still contracted to the Gunners for at least another 14 months, joined the Ligue 1 outfit on a season-long loan deal towards the end of last summer's transfer window and has been making the most of regular game time by netting eight goals across all competitions.
However, he's not made an appearance since the goalless draw against Reims - featuring fellow Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun - on January 15, with Digard confirming that Pepe was set for a spell on the sidelines due to the Ivory Coast international suffering from "tendonitis" in his knee.
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"We will put a protocol in place," Digard revealed when delivering an update on the 27-year-old last month, as per the club's official website. "It is mainly his reaction to the treatment that will determine the length of his absence."
In Pepe's absence, Nice have been in great form. Unbeaten in six league games, winning five of them, including impressive victories away from home against Marseille as well as AS Monaco, they now find themselves five points behind Rennes in the race for a Europa League qualification spot.
Such form may make it difficult for Pepe to regain his place in the starting line-up, but the good news is that he is making encouraging progress with regard to a return - although Saturday's clash at home to Auxerre looks set to come too soon.
"He's done some light running, which is very good. He's really responding very well to everything that has been asked of him so far. It's a good thing," Digard revealed.
"Honestly, as a player, I've suffered from starting again too soon and risking a relapse. I will always try to ensure my players can perform as well as possible for as long as possible, and not just because I need them for an important game. I will always prioritise a player's health."
Once fully fit and back in the Nice team, the hope is that Pepe can pick up from where he left off pre-injury, especially because he's one of several Arsenal loanees that can command a fee at the end of the season, assuming he has no long-term future under Mikel Arteta.
Whilst the Gunners are unlikely to recoup anything close to the £72m fee they paid to sign the winger almost four years ago, his valuation will have improved based on his early and consistent form in Nice colours, so that should lead to a nice windfall if a decision is made to part ways in the summer.
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