Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla on course for early return from ankle injury

Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla could be set to hand the club a boost by returning to the starting line up in time for their Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion on October 6.

Cazorla will miss Arsenal’s games against Swansea and Napoli but is hopeful of being available for the trip to West Brom.

Cazorla picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Spain earlier this month and has been forced to sit out Arsenal’s last four games in all competitions.

The 28-year-old has confirmed he will not be fit for the weekend’s match against Swansea or the visit of Napoli, but is confident he will return to the first team for the October 6 trip to the Hawthorns.

“I will be fit maybe in one week, I hope I can play at West Brom,” Cazorla replied during a Twitter Q&A session with Arsenal fans.

As well as Cazorla, manager Arsene Wenger is without Theo Walcott (stomach), Yaya Sanogo (back), Lukas Podolski (hamstring), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby (both knee).

Cazorla’s compatriot, Mikel Arteta, managed to come through 95 minutes of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash with the Baggies, which Arsenal managed to win 5-4 on penalties after drawing 1-1 after extra time.

Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky is also due back to training on Monday ahead of the visit of Rafael Benitez’s Serie A leaders to The Emirates the following day.

Good news, we've missed the 'matador' :)