Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan returned to training to give Arsenal a huge boost ahead of Friday, January 25's clash against Manchester United, The Sun says.

Mkhitaryan has been out of action since December 19 after he fractured a metatarsal in his right foot during the Carabao Cup defeat to Spurs.

But the 30-year-old appeared to be training on his own at London Colney on Thursday.

Mkhitaryan is closing in on his return to the first-team, but is not expected to feature against his former club.