Arsenal forward Emile Smith Rowe has made "big steps" this week in his recovery from a damaged tendon in his groin, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
The Hale Ender returned to training and was part of Arteta's squad that travelled to Dubai during the mid-season break after undergoing surgery at the end of September. Smith Rowe's previous appearances for the Gunners came in the club's only league defeat of the season at Manchester United.
Smith Rowe has only managed four brief substitute appearances this season and has been forced to watch his teammates rise to the top of the Premier League from the sidelines without him. Now, following Gabriel Jesus' injury, the 22-year-old's return is a highly-anticipated one.