Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen could be back in action within a month.
The Belgian centre-half has been out of action since early September with an ongoing leg problem which he has suffered a setbacks with in recent times.
But Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood revealed that he will be back training in the next week or so after having surgery on his Achilles.
"They spent ages finding out what the hell was wrong, but now they reckon he will be on a bike within a week," he said.
Vermaelen's eventual return will be a massive boost for Arsenal who are a genuine threat to Manchester United for this season's Premiership.
