Arsenal title bid given huge boost as playmaker pictured back in training ahead of schedule
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Arsenal title bid given huge boost as playmaker pictured back in training ahead of schedule

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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By Arsenal correspondent Tony Hughes

Santi Cazorla has been pictured taking part in training as he closes in on a comeback ahead of schedule.

The Arsenal talisman has been sidelined with knee ligament damage since the end of November and was ruled out for three to four months.

But, like his colleague Francis Coquelin, Cazorla is ahead of schedule in his recovery as hopes grow at Arsenal that he can return to the first team in February.

The Spanish playmaker was pictured in training on Thursday, although Arsene Wenger told the club's website in the afternoon that the fans' favourite is still a few weeks away from playing again.

Asked for a team news update ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Burnley, Wenger said: "[Per] Mertesacker is out because of the red card, and everybody else is available, apart from Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla. After that it is just a question of selection and decision-making, that is the key.

"Jack and Santi are progressing well but they are at least a few weeks away. But these two apart, it is just about competitiveness and match fitness."

Cazorla has missed Arsenal's last 11 matches after suffering a knee injury in their 1-1 draw at Norwich on 29 November.

In other Arsenal injury news, Danny Welbeck's comeback has been put on hold as he is not considered ready to feature as an over-age player for the Under-21s against Stoke on Saturday.

Arsenal
Arsene Wenger
Francis Coquelin
Santi Cazorla
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