Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has targeted a St. Stephen's Day return against West Bromwich Albion.
Vieira has been sidelined since picking up a groin injury against Valencia in the Champions League on December 10th.
"I was obviously hugely disappointed to miss the north London derby last Sunday," said Vieira, who watched as Spurs made Arsenal work hard to leave White Hart Lane with a point.
"I never want to miss games, especially those against Tottenham, and it was hard for me not to be part of it.
"I think that it's best that I rest my injury and get more treatment to make sure that I come back strongly. Hopefully I will be able to come back on Boxing Day.
"I originally picked up an injury two or three days before the Valencia game (which ended in a 0-0 draw) but I really wanted to play in that match. I spoke to the boss about it and we made the decision together that I would play, and I felt fit enough to play.
"During the game, I came down from a header and felt the injury on the other side so I knew that I had to come off the pitch. I have since been working hard with our fitness coach, Tony Colbert, and it's beginning to feel a lot better.
"We have a lot of games coming up in a short spell, and all of them big games, so that's why I thought it was better to make sure that I was fully ready to come back."
Arsenal face three crucial games over the traditionally hectic Christmas period with Thursday's visit to struggling West Brom followed by home games with title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
PA