Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered a slice of hope that Kieran Tierney could feature against Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday.
The former Celtic man has been one of Arsenal's standout performers this season, but he has missed their last six matches in all competitions due to a calf problem.
Cedric Soares has deputised well on the left-hand side in Tierney's absence, and while Arteta has conceded that the Scotland international does not have a great chance of coming back this week, he has a "bigger chance" of returning than fellow absentee Thomas Partey does.
Speaking to the press after Arsenal's 4-2 victory over Leeds United on Sunday, Arteta said: "It seems unlikely at the moment but if there is probably one player who has the bigger chance [to play] it's Kieran.
"Probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team but I don't know how it's going to evolve until he gets a little bit closer to training with the group."
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang raised concerns when he went down in the dying embers of Sunday's win with an ankle problem, but Arteta is optimistic that his captain - who scored a hat-trick on the night - will be fit for Thursday's first leg in Rome.
Ben Knapton
