Samir Nasri could feature for Arsenal in Wednesday's Champions League tie against Barcelona after the midfielder took part in a training session at the Emirates ahead of the game.
The France international has not played since injuring his hamstring against Huddersfield in the FA Cup on 30 January and had been expected to miss the last-16 first-leg match, but it now appears he may make a surprise return.
The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, was adamant that he would not take a chance on the midfielder if he was not sure of his fitness. "Samir is in the squad and the starting line-up will be decided tomorrow," Wenger said. "I will take no medical risk. It's good to have him in the squad.
"He's recovered quicker than expected. I said it would be 21 days but it will be only 17 days. Everybody's absolutely adamant that he's completely medically available. It's down to me to make the decision."
Nasri has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season and could turn out to be a key figure as Arsenal attempt to avenge their 6-3 aggregate defeat to the Spanish champions at the quarter-final stage of the competition last season.
Wenger, who described Barcelona as "the best team in the world", insisted that revenge was not something Arsenal are considering.
"I believe you can look at it the other way round," he said. "We have a good opportunity to show that we are not the team who played against them last year. We are highly motivated to show we are a different team.
"Barcelona are the best team in the world and you would think if we knock Barcelona out then we have a chance to win the competition."
Wenger pinpointed Robin van Persie as potentially a key man as Arsenal go in search of victory but refused to campare him to Barcelona's talisman Lionel Messi.
"I am happy [with his recent form] because I have always been a fan of Robin," he said. "I bought him at a time when not many people were convinced by him. "I won't compare [him with Messi]. It's something I've never liked. I believe in my players and they have the ability to do it. You exist at our level because you have qualities that are specific to you. Robin has exceptional qualities."
Wenger also revealed that his captain, Cesc Fábregas, who missed out on a move to Barcelona last summer, will approach this game in the same manner as every other.
"He will approach this game like he approaches every game with a huge desire to win. He wants to win every singe game and if he doesn't achieve that then he is extremely frustrated and tomorrow"
The potential return of Nasri is a massive boost to Wenger, who is already without the suspended Bacary Sagna, and he will be joined on the sidelines by Abou Diaby, who misses out with a calf injury sustained while playing for France against Brazil last week.