Loanee Mika Biereth has returned to first-team training with Arsenal, but rumours of a recall are likely premature.

As Arsenal prepared for their FA Cup match against Liverpool this weekend, loan striker Mika Biereth could be seen taking part in their final training session.

Biereth has been on loan with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, and he has been one of Arsenal’s top loan performers this campaign so far.

The 20-year-old forward has six goals and five assists in 14 appearances (11 starts), and he’d likely have a lot more if not for an impact injury keeping him out for a couple of months at the start of the season.

Biereth has returned from that injury in strong form, and he’s averaging a direct goal contribution every 95 minutes for a struggling Motherwell side.

With Arsenal’s problems up front, the return of a loanee performing well in front of goal will obviously spark some rumours of a recall.

But Motherwell are on their winter break at the moment, and the much likelier explanation is that the striker is simply taking that opportunity to log some minutes with Arsenal and show Mikel Arteta what he can do.

Motherwell’s next fixture is in the Scottish Cup on January 20th, so Biereth’s loan club have no real need for him until then.

When they do return to action, the Scottish club will be very keen to have one of their players of the season so far back with them again.