Arsenal have been handed a massive boost ahead of their first leg match of the Champions League playoff against Turkish side Besiktas. Laurent Koscielny who had earlier picked up an achilles problem in the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the weekend might be fit in a race against time for the crucial encounter in Turkey.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had earlier mentioned that the French would be fit enough to take his place in the backline and will only include German Per Mertesacker in case of an emergency. However any such fears was quelled thanks to Koscielny taking part in Arsenal’s training sessions which suggested that the 28 year old is fit enough.
Koscielny should now take his place in the central defensive partnership alongside new acquisition Calum Chambers once again for tomorrow night’s clash. Arsenal will face a familiar foe in striker Demba Ba who joined Besiktas earlier in the transfer window after being forced out of Chlesea by manager Jose Mourinho. The Gunners will have to ensure they can take back a lead going at the Emirates for the return leg next week.
There are no other fresh injury concerns for Wenger to worry about other than the long suffering Diaby and Walcott, who are back in training and should be available by late September. Szczesny’s understudy David Ospina is yet to recover from his hamstring injury and it may take another 3-4 weeks for the Colombian to return, so meanwhile, check out Just Keepers, if you wish to see him in an Arsenal shirt.