Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe.
The Hale End graduate missed the 1-1 draw with Burnley on Saturday after sustaining a hip injury during the 3-1 victory over Leicester the week before.
After some initial fears the injury could be quite serious, the club was able to confirm last week that the problem was not a severe as first thought.
"Emile was substituted just before half time at Leicester City last Sunday with discomfort in his hip," a club update read last Friday.
"Assessments and scans this week have shown that it is not a significant injury.
"Emile will be assessed and checked regarding his availability ahead of Saturday’s match."
He was unavailable for that match although Arteta seemed to suggest that his chances of being able to make the crucial Europa League Round of 16 clash with Olympiacos on Thursday were promising.
"He is close to returning," said the Arsenal boss. "He is going to have a full session today to see if he can be involved for tomorrow's game.
"After training, we will know exactly where we are with him."
Martin Odegaard has come in and done a good job in the absence of Smith Rowe but the Gunners will be delighted to have him back if it turns out he is able to travel.
The 20-year-old has been crucial to turning their season around, assisting four goals and scoring one himself since coming into the first team on Boxing Day.
Arteta will want every option available to him for what he admitted is a crucial period in Arsenal's season, with the North London Derby coming up before the second leg against Olympiacos and tricky trip to fifth-placed West Ham after that.
"We have a massive week with the next four games that we have in a short period," he added. "We have to manage the squad.
"But obviously the main game is tomorrow [against Olympiacos] and we have to focus on that because tomorrow’s game is going to help us for the weekend, it’s going to help us for next week. So we have to focus on tomorrow."
