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Arsenal news: Unai Emery gives promising Laurent Koscielny injury update
ARSENAL manager Unai Emery has revealed he’s pleased with the progress Laurent Koscielny is making from his achilles injury.
Unai Emery: Laurent Koscielny is making very good progress
Koscielny hasn’t played for the Gunners since tearing his right achilles in their 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in early May.
The injury forced the France international to miss the World Cup in Russia, a tournament his nation ended up winning.
The Arsenal skipper has been hard at work trying to bring himself back to full fitness and Emery has been impressed by his recovery so far.
“He’s working very hard,” the Spaniard said of the 32-year-old. “First he was in France. He came back to us last Sunday.
“We are happy to have him here with us, because he’s our captain and he’s showing us his spirit to stay with us.
“We need to be patient with him because the injury was an important injury.
“It’s clear that it’s very important to stay with us, working here and showing us that he wants to help us.
“It’s difficult to know [when he will be back]. You look at this morning, he’s running, he’s working on the pitch. The progress is very good progress.”
Arsenal: Koscielny returns to training after horrific injury
The progress is very good progress
Koscielny underwent surgery a few days after the loss to Atletico and took to Instagram to declare that he intends to bounce back from his latest setback.
"I would like to thank you for all the messages received further to my injury,' he wrote on Instagram.
“The operation went well, it's a new step that begins for me.
“I’m determined to fight not only for myself but also for my family, my friends and all the people who support me... See you soon lolo.”
Koscielny will face stiff competition to regain his place in the heart of Arsenal’s defence following the summer arrival of Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal return to action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming fellow strugglers West Ham to the Emirates.