Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that Laurent Koscielny will likely start against Qarabag on Thursday.
The 33-year-old has been out of action for the Gunners since May after suffering a serious Achilles injury in the team’s Europa League semi final against Atletico Madrid.
However, Emery is planning for the Frenchman to make his first appearance of the season in the same competition on Thursday: “We are going to use tomorrow [Thursday] some players from the Under-23 team. Also tomorrow our plan is to start with Laurent Koscielny,” he told Sky Sports.
Koscielny’s return comes at an ideal time for Arsenal, with Rob Holding and Konstantinos Mavropanos both injured, and Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi suspended for Sunday’s Premier League game with Southampton.
OPINION
It will be fantastic for Arsenal fans to see Koscielny back in action against Qarabag on Thursday, where he will get a first taste of first team football for several months. He suffered a terrible injury against Atletico and subsequently missed France’s triumphant World Cup campaign in Russia this summer – a horrible blow for a top professional. Arsenal’s defence has looked better under Emery this season but they could still use a full fit Koscielny. He is a calming presence at the back for the Gunners and, with Holding out injured, his return is perfectly timed. Whether he’s ready to play two games in a few days by featuring against the Saints remains to be seen, but having him back at such a crucial point of the season is huge for Arsenal no matter what. His leadership qualities are undeniable and will provide a big boost for Emery’s team moving forward.