Arsenal are hopeful Laurent Koscielny is on track to return to first-team action this month.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined since May 3 after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his right leg during the Gunners’ Europa League semi-final, second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Koscielny, who consequently missed France’s World Cup success in Russia, has made good progress in his recovery and is slowly being reintegrated into full training.
It is understood head coach Unai Emery is yet to define a timescale for Koscielny’s comeback but should the defender continue his rehabilitation at the current rate, he could feature in the Europa League later this month.
Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon at Emirates Stadium next Thursday, but a more likely possible return is against Vorskla Poltava on November 29.
The Gunners face Liverpool at the Emirates tomorrow, with Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac (both hamstring) and Hector Bellerin (thigh) all facing late fitness tests.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is likely to miss out with a right ankle issue, while Matteo Guendouzi is suspended following his red card in Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Blackpool.
Mohamed Elneny is out for a fortnight with a thigh injury and Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected back sometime this month as he recovers from a groin problem.
