Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal is a doubt for Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old has been sidelined since October 7 and trained away from the rest of the group in this morning’s session at London Colney.
Head coach Unai Emery has had a shortage of left-back options in recent weeks, with Granit Xhaka and even Alex Iwobi deputising there, although Sead Kolasinac returned in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Kolasinac is likely to continue against Sporting, as Emery pursues a policy of rotation, although Monreal (left) is expected to be available for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Wolves.
Laurent Koscielny was training with the main group but is still considered some way off a return, having been missing since May after undergoing Achilles surgery.
Arsenal need to better Vorskla Poltava’s result against Qarabag to guarantee qualification for the last 32.
