Unai Emery says Laurent Koscielny is in line for a competitive return to action on Monday with the Under-23s as the Arsenal captain builds his fitness following an Achilles injury.
Koscielny has not featured for Arsenal since suffering the injury in the Europa League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid in May.
The 33-year-old rejoined first-team training in October but his recovery is being carefully managed.
A Premier League 2 match away to Derby at the Loughborough University Stadium has been earmarked for Koscielny, though a definitive decision will be taken on Saturday.
Arsenal squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers
”Koscielny is close to starting to play minutes little by little,” Emery said. ”Our first idea is to start [him playing] with the U23s.
"But these two weeks [during the international break] in training with us, he is looking well with a good performance, good feeling, and is close to play with us as well.
"But maybe Monday he will play with the U23s."
