Mikel Arteta has said to Football London that Lucas Torreira is now close to making his return for Arsenal.
Torreira has not featured for Arsenal since March, after he picked up an injury against Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
There were fears that the Uruguayan could miss the rest of the season, but the break has provided him with a chance to comeback in time to feature.
And Arteta says that Torreira is now getting ever closer to forcing his way back into Arsenal’s team.
“I think he’s close,” Arteta said.
“He needs to get another scan to make sure that the bone is completely healed before we expose him to the next level.
“But he’s been training really well, he’s been doing some parts with us and Lucas is so willing, has put in all the effort and more in every training session. Hopefully we can use him very soon.”
If Torreira does make a full recovery soon there may just be an opening for him in Arsenal’s starting line-up.
Arteta has not settled upon a regular partner for Granit Xhaka in midfield, with Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendouzi not fully convincing.
Torreira could bring an increase of tenacity and defensive steel to Arsenal’s side, which could be important for the run-in.
Arteta’s side have been in fairly poor form since the restart, but they have won their last two matches on the bounce.
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