Returning Arsenal duo spotted with squad at team hotel before Aston Villa showdown

Arsenal go head-to-head with their fellow Premier League title rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium and there could be two surprise inclusions in the matchday squad

Images have surfaced online of Arsenal duo Kai Havertz and Ben White arriving with the rest of their team-mates at the club's team hotel ahead of tonight's matchup against Aston Villa.

The pair now appear to be on the comeback trail, even if it's still not guaranteed they will be included in the match-day squad.

However, the fact they were present at least indicates they are closing in on a full return to fitness.

Havertz has been back in training since last week when preparations for the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace began while White has been absent since December 13, when he picked up a hamstring strain in the 2-1 win over Wolves.

White started the match but pulled up in the first half when he chased back after Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan, who had a shot saved by David Raya on the counter-attack.

The initial prognosis was that he'd miss a minimum of four weeks with the issue.

If White was to be available to feature against Villa, it would mean he'd have made a swift recovery within the space of just two-and-a-half weeks.

The versatile right-back's presence would be welcomed because Arsenal have been forced to combat a number of fitness issues at the back in recent weeks and months.

Centre-back Cristhian Mosquera remains sidelined with an ankle problem while there is some doubt as to whether Jurrien Timber will be available against Villa after missing the 2-1 victory over Brighton.

Riccardo Calafiori also withdrew prior to kick-off against Albion after feeling something in the warm-up.

Meanwhile, forward Havertz has not played since injuring his knee on the opening day of the season against Manchester United.

The German was forced to undergo a minor surgical procedure and has slowly been upping the intensity of his recovery programme over the past few months.

There had recently been reports suggesting Havertz had suffered a setback but Arteta was quick to shoot those down just a matter of weeks ago when he insisted the ex-Chelsea forward was closing in on a return to action.

Arsenal can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points tonight with victory over Villa.

Manchester City, who occupy second place, are not in action until Thursday when they travel to Sunderland.

Villa, however, are on a club-record unbeaten run and have now lost in 11 matches in all competitions.