Eduardo close to return

Eduardo could make his long-awaited Arsenal return in three weeks - but Tomas Rosicky is not expected back until the New Year.

Croatia international Eduardo has not played since suffering horrific leg and ankle injuries at Birmingham in February and there were fears he may never play competitive football again.

However, the 25-year-old striker - signed from Dynamo Zagreb in 2007 - has made significant progress and should make his return by mid-November.

"Eduardo is three weeks away from playing competitive football," manager Arsene Wenger said at the club's AGM on Thursday.

Rosicky has not played since January 29 because of a hamstring problem and Wenger is not expecting the Czech international to return until the New Year at the earliest.

"He should be back after Christmas," added Wenger.