Arsenal playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to return to full training with the Gunners next week, though he will still be unavailable for the upcoming league match against Chelsea.
The 29-year-old has been out of action with a foot injury since the club's Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham last month, where goals from Son Heung-min and Dele Alli booked Spurs' place in the semi-finals of the competition.
It was speculated that Mkhitaryan could return in time for Chelsea's visit to the Emirates on Saturday, but Arsenal have confirmed on their official website that the Armenian won't be available to Unai Emery until next week when he returns to training.
Long-term absentees Rob Holding and Danny Welbeck are also still unavailable for the Gunners as the pair continue their rehabilitation following surgery.
Mkhitaryan has featured heavily for Arsenal this season, making 20 appearances across all competitions where he's scored four goals and claimed three assists.
His recent injury, along with Mesut Özil's continued absence, has seen Emery rotate his quad quite heavily over the Christmas period, both in terms of personnel and tactics.
Alex Iwobi has been one of Arsenal's stand-out players in recent weeks, while the versatile Ainsley Maitland-Niles has also impressed in a number of different positions since returning from a broken leg he suffered on the opening day of the season.
Arsenal are in desperate need of three points against Chelsea this weekend following their 1-0 defeat against West Ham, which has left the club six points outside of the top four and level with Manchester United.
Source :
90min
