Arthur has recovered from a grade two right hamstring injury and could be included by Cuca for Santos against Red Bull Bragantino on Monday. That would put him back in contention just four weeks after the problem, the minimum recovery period for this type of setback.
The timing matters because Arthur has only five games left to make an impression before his deal ends in December. He signed at the end of August after leaving Juventus and has played six matches for Santos, contributing one assist, so this is the last stretch in which he can change the tone around his short spell at the club.
He is back in time for a demanding run that begins with Red Bull Bragantino and continues with Coritiba away, Grêmio at home, Vitória away and Botafogo at home. Santos are eighth on 47 points and seven behind fifth-placed Athletico-PR, which leaves little room for wasted minutes in the closing weeks of the Brasileirão season.
Even so, a return to the squad is not the same as a return to the starting side. Arthur is not expected to start on Monday, and the most likely route is a brief appearance after the interval, enough to show he is ready and perhaps enough to keep his season alive while the club looks ahead to the final games and, soon after, the discussion that comes with December.
