Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is in the squad to face Manchester United on Saturday.
The striker was expected to be ruled out until the end of December after having surgery on a broken leg in August but is a month ahead of schedule as confirmed by the Frenchman.
"[Olivier] Giroud and [Mikel Arteta are both available. It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available," Wenger said on Thursday.
"He [Giroud] is three or four weeks ahead of schedule. Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead.
"We have Giroud back, we have Walcott back. Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options.
Wenger also hopes to have defenders Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy available for the busy Christmas period.
"[Laurent] Koscielny and [Mathieu] Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again," the manager said.
"We have to see now. Usually field work is three weeks away from full group training. Then there is fitness. It looks straightforward for Debuchy.
"It's not inflammation, it's just repairing surgery. For Koscielny, it depends how well he responds to training. At the moment he looks good.
"[Mesut] Ozil is doing well but he will not be ready before the start of 2015."
