Arsenal given injury boost as Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain prepare to return to first-team training 

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Winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and midfielder Santi Cazorla could resume full training with the Arsenal squad next week, manager Arsene Wenger said.

Cazorla, who has not played since the end of November, was expected to return from a knee problem in March, but the Spaniard suffered an injury setback when he hurt his Achilles. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out with a knee injury since February.

Santi Cazorla could give Arsenal a late-season boost when he returns to first-team training next week

England winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also almost ready to rejoin his team-mates ahead of the run-in

Cazorla, who has not played since the end of November, was expected to return from a knee problem in March

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been out with a knee injury since February, but could soon return

'Next week they (Chamberlain and Cazorla) will be back maybe, they are not back in full training yet. They are still on fitness work,' Wenger told the club's website.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere is ready to take another step towards making his first Arsenal appearance of the season after Wenger revealed the 24-year-old emerged unscathed from Friday's under-21 victory over Derby County.

Long-serving midfielder Tomas Rosicky, together with Wilshere, was then involved in Thursday's under-21 clash against Swansea City, in which the England international completed 90 minutes and provided an assist.

'Jack and Tomas are playing today for the under-21s. They have had no reaction from last Friday's game and they look all right,' Wenger said.

Arsenal, who are third in the Premier League, will host 16th-placed Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Jack Wilshere provided Arsenal a further boost when he played 90 minutes for the U21s on Thursday

Wilshere, who has not played for the first team yet this season, provided an assist against Swansea