Arsenal may have received a significant injury boost looking ahead to the run-in, with Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla nearing a first team return.

The 31-year-old hasn’t played since November, but is stepping up his training and reports suggest he could be back in time to face Tottenham in a crucial north London derby in March.

NORWICH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: Santi Cazorla of Arsenal tussles with Martin Olsson of Norwich City during the Barclays Premier League match between Norwich City and Arsenal at Carrow Road on November 29, 2015 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla hasn’t played since the 1-1 draw with Norwich City back in November. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Football Insider has been an unreliable source of information when it comes to transfer and contract news, but their injury reports are often spot on and they believe he could feature against Spurs in under three weeks.

That means the midfielder would be out for games against FC Barcelona and Manchester United in the next fortnight, but his return would signal a huge boost for Arsenal, who currently have little choice but to start Aaron Ramsey in every game. Along with Cazorla, Jack Wilshere is only supposed to be a few weeks away from a return, reinforcing us for the last few months of the season.

Danny Welbeck made his first appearance in 10 months on Sunday and scored a crucial winner against Leicester City to seal a big three points. If Cazorla and Wilshere can both also have an impact on the team’s performances and results then we’d be looking pretty until May.