Hector Bellerin has taken a big step in his recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January by returning to London Colney.
The Spaniard was stretched off in the second half of the 2-0 win over Chelsea in January after overstretching trying to win the ball.
It was further bad news for Unai Emery with Rob Holding already out on the sidelines for the season with a similar problem and Danny Welbeck also in the treatment room after suffering a serious ankle injury in the Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon.
Bellerin, like his two teammates, will return next season and he is now stepping up his recovery as he bids to return to the pitch as soon as possible.
Well, Des Ryan, academy head of sports medicine and athletic development at the club, believes the right-back can return at an even higher level.
"It’s been so busy for him, so one of the rare things he gets to experience now is the time to develop even more in the gym," he told Arsenal Player.
"I know with Darren, Shad and Barry looking after him, and all the physios in the first team, I can see him coming back at an even higher level.
"Obviously that will come with time once he’s back playing, but we have to remember that players reach their peak at 27 or 28 - that can vary with individuals - but Hector will have no problem rising to the challenge."
Bellerin this week returned to the club's training ground to begin advanced treatment on his injury after a tough couple of months.
Arsenal documented his return to London Colney with a video on YouTube and it's clear to see that the player is incredibly happy to be back at the club.
"I'm back, I'm back home," he said upon his return to the club's training ground.
The short video shows the club's medical team assessing his injury before he continues his rehab by doing a number of exercises in the swimming pool to help strengthen his knee.
Now part of the 23-man Arsenal squad alongside injured duo Holding and Welbeck for their warm weather training camp in Dubai during the international break, the club's supporters will have to wait until next season before they see him back on the pitch.
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