Unai Emery has suggested he could welcome Granit Xhaka back to the Arsenal squad for Saturday's meeting with Southampton.

Xhaka has not featured since he clashed with supporters after being substituted against Crystal Palace last month. He was stripped of the captaincy because of the incident.

But Emery says the Swiss is getting closer to being able to return.

He told reporters on Thursday: "He is coming back better in his mind, his mindset is better to help us and to be closer to playing when we need him. I spoke to him this morning and we had a very good conversation.

"He trained very well before the international break and he trained very well this morning. My objectives don't change from when I spoke to you before.

"My objective is going to be his comeback to help us and convince every supporter of his commitment with us and his performances will be better and they will be proud of him in the short or long future with us. That is my objective, and what I am working towards.

"He is feeling better and also feeling that his team is Arsenal now. He wants to come back with confidence with the supporters, and we are going to decide. But I think little by little we can help him come back and connect with us and our supporters.

"We are going to decide tomorrow but I want to do that comeback, give him confidence and make him comfortable. And when we can connect with our supporters with a good moment and a good performance and being strong with them. He trained with us. He was feeling very well in the training session."