Back to the Premier League Newsfeed

Koscielny to start against Qarabag, says Emery

Laurent Koscielny will make his first senior Arsenal appearance of the season on Thursday against Qarabag in the Europa League following an Achilles injury, Unai Emery has confirmed.

French defender Koscielny ruptured his Achilles tendon during Arsenal's Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in May.

The injury subsequently robbed him of a place in France's World Cup-winning campaign, while he has yet to feature for Arsenal's first-team since Emery took over from Arsene Wenger.

Editors' Picks

Now 33, Koscielny has been nursed back to fitness in recent weeks thanks to appearances for Arsenal's second team, and Emery confirmed he will feature against Qarabag, with the Gunners already assured of top spot in Group E.