Arsenal receive injury boost on Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan could make his injury comeback prior to next week's European tie against Atletico Madrid.

The Armenia international sustained a knee ligament injury during the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow and he has since been on the sidelines.

Initially, Wenger suggested that the attacker could be ruled out for at least a month but the Frenchman has now provided a positive update on the 29-year-old's fitness.

In a report covered by Arsenal's official website, he said: "Mkhitaryan is running again. He has to progress in the next three of four days to see how much intensity he can have in his training sessions. Next Thursday is the earliest date for his return."

Should things go as planned, Mkhitaryan could make his comeback against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final first-leg in a week's time.

The Spanish outfit are regarded as the front-runners to win the competition but the Gunners have the opportunity of gaining a sizeable advantage with the first leg scheduled to be played in their home patch.