Gabriel Jesus was involved in Arsenal's warm-down following their win on Saturday as he closes in on a first-team return.
The Brazilian hasn't played for the Gunners since before the World Cup and has been a major miss, but Mikel Arteta declared the forward was "not far" earlier this week. Jesus, 25, gave the biggest indication yet that he will soon be match ready by involving himself in the post-match activities.
Small-sided games took place on the Emirates pitch following the dramatic 3-2 win over Bournemouth, with Jesus taking part. The summer signing, acquired from Manchester City, was a crucial part of the Gunners' impressive early-season form, although the team have been able to cope in his absence.
Arsenal remain top of the league with a five-point lead over their nearest challengers, City. However, their injury list is mounting ahead of the business end of the season, with the Gunners still competing in Europe as well as domestically.
Eddie Nketiah was unavailable for the visit of Bournemouth and Leandro Trossard filled in as a false-nine, as he has done for the past few games. He was forced off early on Saturday afternoon, however, with an injury concern that will leave Arteta seeking fresh solutions.
He said of the Belgian: "It is a worry. He came to me straight away and told me he could not continue because he’d felt something when he was tracking back after the corner. We have to assess him and see how he is."
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Gabriel Martinelli came in to play centrally after Trossard was taken off and Arteta believes that is an option they could consider moving forward. Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, the match winner on Saturday, provide alternatives.
Arteta said of his striking options: "We have alternatives. Emile can play in that position as well. We can move players and Reiss can give us width and threat in wider areas. We’ll have to assess every opponent because they’ll be different. Now we have Sporting CP, a really tough match, so let’s hope we’ll have one or two back."
Arsenal's next fixture will see them return to Europa League action against Sporting Lisbon, whom they face across two legs. In the coming weeks, the Gunners will also face Fulham, Crystal Palace and Leeds before a challenging trip to Liverpool. Arteta said of his side's form: "That’s four in a row - winning four games in a row in the Premier League is very difficult. We’ve won three in a week, which is even harder, and we’ve done it in various ways. That should generate more belief."
