England left-sided winger Stewart Downing could make a return to action for Middlesbrough's reserves next week.
The 21-year-old midfielder has not played since having surgery to repair knee ligament damage last September.
"Stewart is doing very well. He's training almost fully with the squad," assistant boss Steve Round told the club website.
"We are hoping that he'll get a reserve game on 10 January, and then he may be in contention to play at Arsenal."
The reserves face Sunderland, before the first team travel to Highbury on 14 January.
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews