Arsenal have received a huge fitness boost ahead of their clash against Everton on Saturday over Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian has been out with a knee injury since June, but has been recently back in training.
football.london was able to exclusively reveal that he would be making his return in a Gunners shirt for the under-23s in their Papa John's Trophy clash against AFC Wimbledon earlier this month. He played 45 minutes in that match before being replaced at half time.
He is set to play for the under-23s again this evening and Mikel Arteta has revealed the 19-year-old is not far from making a return to first team action.
"At the moment we have to look at the next game," he said when asked in his press conference ahead of the trip to Goodison Park if he would be resting any players.
"There are players that are ending the last phase of their rehab like Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari has already played some minutes in the Europa League. Mustafi as well.
"Gabi Martinelli is very close to be available and fit to be part of us which is great news, and we will see what happens."
Arteta also spoke on the atmosphere Martinelli brings to the Arsenal training ground after his return.
"Gabi, the spirit of enthusiasm, energy, belief, charisma and goals. And this is him.
"He’s around the training ground, he’s around the training session and the energy is different because he goes 100 miles an hour.
"He’s got this passion this way of playing, and he’s a threat he’s a player that he’s been missing because he brings something special to the team.
"He’s contagious with his attitude and I think it’s gonna be a big plus for me to have him."
