Arsenal receive major fitness boost ahead of Vorskla trip

Arsenal have received a timely boost on the injury front with club-captain Laurent Koscielny returning to competitive action with the Under-23s after an extended absence.

The Frenchman had spent the past six-and-a-half months on the sidelines with a serious Achilles injury but manager Unai Emery recently confirmed that he has returned to regular training alongside his teammates.

Koscielny has since featured for 45 minutes of the Gunners' Premier League 2 clash against Derby County and this could potentially put him in line for top-flight duties in the forthcoming weeks.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has generally relied on Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos for the central defensive duties this term but he could opt for rotation with the hectic festive schedule ahead.

Still, Emery is unlikely to rush Koscielny's return to Premier League action as there is the chance of him sustaining a setback with a rushed return to regular competitive football.