Manchester City have been handed a boost ahead of their clash with Arsenal on New Year's Day after Kyle Walker returned to training.
The English full-back hasn't featured since being sent off in the Champions League late in the defeat at RB Leipzig, as he was dropped to the bench for the following win over Wolves. He then missed the wins over Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester and Brentford as a result of fitness issues.
Joao Cancelo and John Stones have shared the burden at right-back in his absence, whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake have rotated on the other side.
Thus, Walker's return is an obvious boost for Pep Guardiola going into the game with Arsenal.
In pictures published on mancity.com on Thursday, Walker is seen training hard ahead of what promises to be a difficult trip to the Emirates.
Whilst it serves as a boost for City, it's also a blow for Arsenal, who will be hoping to continue their impressive form against the Premier League leaders.
The Gunners haven't played since Boxing Day when they comfortably beat a poor Norwich City team 5-0 at Carrow Road.
Their following fixture against Wolves was postponed after news of a Covid-19 outbreak in the midlands outfit's camp emerged, meaning Bruno Lage was left with an insufficient number of players available to fulfil the fixture.
But Arsenal are suffering from Covid issues of their own, especially after the club announced that manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
The Gunners currently occupy fourth position, four points ahead of London rivals West Ham United in fifth.
However, as arch rivals Tottenham can leapfrog them by winning their games in hand, Arsenal will be doing everything in their power to avoid defeat against City.
