Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has delivered a new injury boost.
Wenger revealed Abou Diaby and Andre Santos are close to a return.
Wenger said the pair should be back training with the squad next week, meaning goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski would be the only first-team player out injured.
"It is unusual, especially at this period of the season," Wenger said. "It is down to the continuing good work we are doing behind the scenes at the club.
"We hope that it continues because it is important to go into January with a full squad and we will be losing Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations."