Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are both back in full training, giving Arsenal a big fitness boost as they try to mount a late Premier League title challenge.
However, Santi Cazorla still needs another three to four weeks before making a return from his knee injury, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday.
Wilshere, 24, is yet to play this season after fracturing his ankle in August, but is inching closer to a comeback in April. However, Wenger said it is too early to say whether the midfielder can play for the club's under-21s as early as next Friday, as had been reported earlier on Thursday.
"Not yet, no, we have not decided that yet," Wenger told the club's official website. "It is his first week back in full training and we'll see how he responds to that, but the first signs are quite good. We'll assess our options next week."
Rosicky's return is also welcome news after the Czech Republic veteran sustained a thigh problem in his first appearance of the season in January, following a lengthy layoff with a knee injury. The 35-year-old is out of contract in the summer and there had been fears that he may have played his last game for the club.
"Wilshere and Rosicky are back in full training. Basically they are all progressing well," Wenger said.
In other injury news, goalkeeper Petr Cech could be ready to return for this weekend's Premier League game against Watford after missing time with a calf problem, while Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini will remain sidelined a while longer.
"Cech is going back to normal training. It's too early to say if he will be available for the weekend. He might be a bit short to be competitive," Wenger said, adding that Ramsey and Flamini could both be back next weekend.
Cazorla has been out with a knee injury since November, and was originally scheduled to return in early April. But Wenger had previously said his progress was hampered by an inflamed Achilles tendon.
"Santi Cazorla is running again outside so it should be three to four weeks more training for Santi," Wenger said.
TEAM NEWS: The boss has positive news on @JackWilshere and Tomas Rosicky plus other updates: https://t.co/Nhg69xuz7c pic.twitter.com/9CUKwmMLWg
- Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) March 31, 2016
Arsenal still haven't given up hope of catching Premier League leaders Leicester despite trailing 11 points behind with just eight games to play. For Wilshere and Rosicky, the tail end of the season is also a chance to prove their fitness ahead of this summer's European Championship.
England coach Roy Hodgson has said he will pick Wilshere if he is fully fit, while Rosicky is hoping to captain the Czech team in what will likely be his last major tournament.
Wenger also said Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is "progressing well" as he recovers from a knee injury sustained against Barcelona, but did not give a timeline for his return.