Arsenal travel to Dubai for warm-weather training ahead of their return to the Prem season while Elneny gets back in shape

MOHAMED ELNENY is targeting a full return for Christmas when a strong Arsenal squad steps up their warm-weather training in Dubai.

The Egyptian midfielder made two Premier League appearances in November as a substitute for the leaders after three months out with a hamstring injury.

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And he is one of 14 first-team players among the 27 players boss Mikel Arteta has selected for next week’s Dubai Cup.

The Gunners face Lyon on December 8 and AC Milan five days later.

The current World Cup break came perfectly for three fitness-struggling stars this season.

Elneny, fellow midfielder Emile Smith Rowe and left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected to be back in top form when Arsenal resume their Prem title bid at home against West Ham on December 26.

Zinchenko is suffering from a calf injury and Smith Rowe’s hopes of complementing his three England caps with a call-up for Qatar were dashed by groin surgery two months ago.

But once the World Cup is over, Arteta will have to do without crazy Brazilian frontman Gabriel Jesus until February.

That could push the Spaniard into a bigger transfer frenzy at the turn of the year than he had planned.

A midfield presenter and winger was reportedly high on his wish list.

But Jesus’ absence would leave Arteta with little conspicuous support other than Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal are also linked with Ecuador’s star World Cup defender Piero Hincapie.

Tottenham are also said to be keen on the 20-year-old Bayer Leverkusen ace.

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