Emile Smith Rowe hopes to make his Arsenal comeback at the start of January as he continues to recover from groin surgery.
Arsenal are travelling to Dubai next month for warm-weather training and two friendlies, and Smith Rowe will be part of the squad.
The midfielder is not expected to take part in full training right away in Dubai, but it is hoped by the end of the trip he will rejoin the group.
Smith Rowe’s rehabilitation from groin surgery is understood to be going well and he is hoping to be match-fit and firing by the start of January.
His return would be a huge boost for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who is keen to have more competition in his forward line.
Smith Rowe had surgery in September. The 21-year-old visited a specialist and it was discovered the issue was with a tendon in his groin, which was repaired during surgery.
The 22-year-old had been feeling discomfort in his groin before then and the final straw was when he pulled up during the warm-down after defeat at Manchester United in September.
Arsenal and Smith Rowe then decided it was best for the England international to undergo surgery and target a return after the World Cup. His is on track to return to full training next month, before playing again in the New Year.
