Danny Welbeck could make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt this week as he steps up his rehabilitation from a knee injury.
The 25-year-old has not made a competitive appearance for the club since April, undergoing surgery on the injury to his left knee in September.
Welbeck returned to training last week, though his manager Arsene Wenger warned that he would be taking "small steps" on the road to recovery, with 45 minutes in a youth game against Brighton on Friday likely to be the first of those.
Writing in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday's clash with Southampton Wenger confirmed: "Danny Welbeck is stepping up his rehabilitation.
"We have to remember that he has not played since April 2015 and will need a game with the Under-21s, where we can monitor him and leave him free to play at his level of commitment. That looks to be very soon, maybe this week."
In the last campaign Welbeck made 34 appearances in his first season at Arsenal since moving from Manchester United, scoring eight goals.
His return will provide Wenger with enhanced options in the central striking role, where Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have rotated throughout the season.
