Arsenal are set to be handed a major fitness boost with Laurent Koscielny due to report back to first-team training in the next 48 hours.
Koscielny, 30, was one of three key players to pick up injuries in their 1-1 draw to Norwich on Sunday, but it has now emerged his hip problem isn’t serious.
Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez were the other two players Arsenal lost to injury and they are both set to miss their crucial Champions League tie against Olympiacos, with Sanchez due to miss their next three fixtures.
However, Koscielny should be back in training and be fit enough to start against Sunderland at the weekend, with Arsene Wenger’s side already without the likes of Danny Welbeck, Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott.
Koscielny’s return is particularly significant to Arsenal’s defensive solidity, particularly with Coquelin sidelined. In fact, only N’Golo Kante (60) and Yohan Cabaye (54) have made more interceptions in the Premier League than Koscielny this season (46).
For more stats on Laurent Koscielny, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
