MOHAMED ELNENY is targeting a full return at Christmas as a powerful Arsenal squad step up their warm-weather training in Dubai.
The Egypt midfielder made two Premier League appearances as a sub for the leaders in November after three months out with a hamstring injury.
And he’s one of 14 first-teamers amongst the 27 players that boss Mikel Arteta has picked for the Dubai Cup over the next week.
The Gunners face Lyon on December 8 and AC Milan five days later.
The current World Cup break came perfectly for three stars plagued by fitness issues this season.
Elneny, fellow midfielder Emile Smith Rowe and left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko will expect to be back in top shape when Arsenal resume their Prem title bid at home to West Ham on December 26.
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Zinchenko has been troubled by a calf injury and Smith Rowe’s hopes of adding to his three England caps with a call-up for Qatar were ended by groin surgery two months ago.
But once the World Cup finishes, Arteta still faces being without crocked Brazil frontman Gabriel Jesus until as late as February.
That could persuade the Spaniard into a bigger new-year transfer spree than he had planned.
A midfield anchorman and winger reportedly topped his wishlist.
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But Jesus’ absence would leave Arteta with little striking back-up except for Eddie Nketiah.
Arsenal are also being linked with Ecuador’s star World Cup defender Piero Hincapie.
Tottenham too are said to be keen on the Bayer Leverkusen ace, 20.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
