Arsenal boss Unai Emery says Rob Holding could be ready to face Manchester United tomorrow night.

Holding missed the last six months of last season after a cruciate ligament injury in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.

Emery said, “After eight or nine months out, it's a long time, and to recover he needs first to take it bit by bit, to take ­confidence, to get back to the performance levels we demand.

“On Tuesday (in their Carabao Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest), I thought, 'Wow! He's coming, Rob Holding'. I don't know if he is going to start at Old Trafford, but I want from him his spirit, his behaviour and commitment.

“He really feels Arsenal ­Football Club and I want ­players like him in the dressing room. Last year, Rob started training and playing with us and he progressed a lot.

“When he had his ­injury at Old Trafford, it was maybe at the best ­moment in his progress."