Mikel Arteta has revealed Kieran Tierney has been "working like a beast" as he looks to make an early return from injury.
The former Celtic left-back has been out of action with a knee problem since Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool last month and the early prognosis put his season in jeopardy.
But his rehab has gone better than expected and an update from Arsenal a week ago stated he was in line to return in "two to three weeks."
That spelled good news for Scotland as it boosted their hopes of having him back in time for the Euros in June.
Arsenal's Europa League semi-final first leg with Villarreal on Thursday will come too soon for the 23-year-old but Arteta reckons he could be back in the very near future.
And he puts that down to the star's exceptional work-rate in training.
"He's been working like a beast every single day," Arteta said.
"I don't think he's going to make it tomorrow, but he wants to be as close as possible to the football pitch to give himself the best chance.
"We need players like Tierney. We know they are the kind of players who can make a difference in a big tie like this, but I only want to put players on the pitch who feel safe to perform.
"If it's a risk, if we're going to take a gamble, I don't think it's the right game to do it."
