Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed they could start the season with Tomas Rosicky in his first XI.
"We have to prepare him well and balance him well," said the manager.
"But if he comes through the preparations OK then he could start the season.
"There was a time I feared that [he might not come back] and I think that he felt it too. But he always had a dedicated and healthy life so I always had hope."