Kai Havertz faces a fight to return for Arsenal before the end of this year.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann confirmed last month that Havertz suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury picked up in August.
Mikel Arteta has explained how Havertz “could not go to the next level” - but he is now making strides with his rehabilitation.
The striker will be out for a “matter of weeks”, though, which means it will be tight for him to return before January.
“Let’s see how he evolves in the next few weeks,” said Arteta. “He is doing really well, he is doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.
“He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it is looking like we have unlocked that. We are all desperate to have him.
“I mean it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team - his character, his personality.
“I see him suffer, being outside. His playing record is phenomenal, he has always been available and I cannot wait to have him back around the team, playing, because I think it is going to be a massive boost.”
Arsenal are next in action on Wednesday when they host Brentford - and Leandro Trossard and William Saliba are major doubts for that game.
Saliba picked up a knock in training last Saturday, which forced him to miss Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea the following day.
Trossard tweaked his calf during the win over Bayern Munich last Wednesday and, like Saliba, will be out for a “matter of days”.
Areta said on Tuesday morning: “I am not going to be able to help you much today, because we have another training session later and, until that happens, we won’t know what is going to happen with a few of the doubts we have.
“He (Saliba) had a little niggle, but I think it is going to be a matter of days. So, let’s see if he is able to do that tomorrow.”
