Rob Holding is hoping to play in one of Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies and give Unai Emery a major fitness boost.
Holding took part in his first full training session on the club’s US tour on Tuesday and wants to step up his comeback after being out seven months following a cruciate knee ligament injury.
The Gunners defender had been expected to miss the start of the new season but his recovery has gone very well, including a special rehabilitation programme here in the United States.
The 23-year-old has impressed Arsenal’s medical staff with his dedication and determination as he battles his way back and could now feature in one of their warm-up matches.
It is unlikely to happen closer to the start of the campaign, with Arsenal playing Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Real Madrid here in the States then Lyon, Angers and Barcelona back in Europe before they start 2019-20 with a Sunday trip to Steve Bruce's Newcastle on August 11.
Arsenal have been short defensively and that may mean they keep Calum Chambers at the club rather than loan him out again, after he spent last season unsuccessfully trying to keep promoted Fulham in the top flight.
They also remain confident of beating Tottenham to Saint-Etienne’s William Saliba in a £27m deal — although if that transfer happens the 18-year-old defender would be loaned back to France for a year's more experience.
North London arch-rivals Tottenham made a counter-offer for Saliba while Arsenal were in the air flying to the US to begin their tour but Arsenal have now come back to the Ligue 1 side with a restructured proposal.
The Gunners are also in for Celtic’s Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney , 22, but have yet to meet thr Scottish champions' valuation and want to sign Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos , also 22, on loan.
