Arsenal sweat on Koscienly fitness ahead of Sunderland trip

Friday, February 8, 2013
12:53 PM

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny faces a fitness test on his calf injury ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Sunderland, but captain Thomas Vermaelen (ankle) has been ruled out.

Midfielders Aaron Ramsey (calf) and Francis Coquelin (hamstring) should be available, along with England forward Theo Walcott (foot).

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho is back from the African Nations Cup, but is not yet expected to feature. Left-back Kieran Gibbs will be out for four to six week with a thigh problem.

Boss Arsene Wenger said: “Koscielny had a reassuring test last night. He will have to make a test today.”

Asked what he will do if the Frenchman fails his tests, the manager said: “The options are restricted. I would have to be creative but we have Ignasi Miquel, we have [Bacary] Sagna who can play there and [Carl] Jenkinson on the right, so we will see.

“We have very good hope that Koscielny could be available.

Provisional squad: Szczesny, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna, Podolski, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud, Mannone, Koscielny, Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diaby, Jenkinson, Rosicky, Miquel, Coquelin.