Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta has made an early return to training at the club and could play a big part in their new year programme, the Metro reports.
The veteran midfielder was expected to be missing until the middle of January, but has since given his teammates a massive boost by returning to action well ahead of schedule.
However, with him obviously lacking in match sharpness, it remains to be seen how much game time he will actually see, but his appearance at a New Year’s Day training session will surely come as a huge boost to manager Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners are still short of options in midfield with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere all still out of action.
Arsenal welcome strugglers Newcastle United on Saturday, hopeful of maintaining their title challenge before dipping into the transfer market for some much needed reinforcements.
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