Santi Cazorla trains with first-team ahead of Middlesbrough clash

Santi Cazorla is likely to be fit for Arsenal's clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday (22 October) after the midfielder completed a full training session with the first-team on Friday, a massive boost for the Gunners, who are looking for their seventh consecutive win in the Premier League. Arsene Wenger had indicated during his pre-match press conference that the Spaniard was a doubt, but was waiting to see how the player responds during training on Friday before making a decision.

The Spain international picked up an Achilles injury during Arsenal's 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday (19 October), but looks to have been a minor knock as Cazorla was pictured training with the rest of the first-team squad ahead of their game against the Riverside outfit.

The diminutive midfielder is a vital part of the Gunners midfield and has formed a strong partnership with Francis Coquelin in the deep lying midfield role. He has also partnered Granit Xhaka on occasion this season, but the Swiss midfielder is banned for three matches after picking up a red card during Arsenal's win over Swansea City last weekend.

Cazorla has played in every game Premier League and Champions League game thus far this campaign and Wenger will be keen to have the midfielder's services for the league game on Saturday. He was omitted from the squad for the third round EFL Cup win over Nottingham Forest and is likely to be rested again for the fourth round clash against Reading on Tuesday (25 October).

Arsenal will be without the services of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud for the clash against Middlesbrough as both continue to build match fitness after spending time out with injury. The French manager is hoping to have the duo back within the week with the latter expected to play a part in the game against Reading, while the former is penciled in for a return against Sunderland [next Saturday].