The Czech Republic international has been out for 18 months with injuries to his hamstring tendon and his knee, with planned comebacks last season never coming to fruition due to various setbacks in his recovery.

He is now finally ready to play for the first-team and may be involved on Saturday as the Gunners face Barnet in their first pre-season friendly.

Captain Fabregas is close friends with the 28-year-old and believes he can give the Arsenal attack another dimension.

enjoy playing

"I have spent a lot of time with him and I know how he feels," Fabregas told the club's official website.

"I know what he wants and I have never seen a guy being so committed, so professional and never giving up. If this happened to me I probably wouldn't want to talk to anyone, I would be always down and angry. But he's unbelievable and when we see that he will be back next season, he will be strong and hopefully he can help us improve a lot.

"He's the type of player you enjoy playing alongside and as a guy he's amazing. He didn't deserve his injury but I am sure he will come back stronger. I wish him all the best because everyone here at Arsenal loves him a lot.

"I feel sorry for him but I don't need to say that to him, he's my best friend in the team and one of my best friends in football and my life.

"He can bring many, many things to the team. He's a guy with a lot of experience, he has won things, he knows how to compete, he's very humble and he works for the team.

"Technically he is one of the best in the world and physically I am sure he will be really strong because he's been working really hard. I am happy because soon he is going to be back and I can't wait to see him playing again."

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