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Arsenal boosted by likely returns of Koscielny, Cech

Reuters / Matthew Childs Livepic

With Arsenal's chances of a 21st successive finish in the Premier League top-four hanging by a thread, the club could witness the return of first-team regulars Laurent Koscielny and Petr Cech for Monday's trip to Middlesbrough.

Both Koscielny and Cech missed the victory over West Ham and defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, as Gabriel and Emiliano Martinez deputised for the pair, though Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is confident both will be in the squad for the Riverside visit.

"We have the chance to get Petr Cech back and Koscielny is joining in today. If the tests are positive they will be in the squad for Monday," Wenger told the club's official website Friday.

Cech has been bothered by a calf concern picked up in a loss at West Brom in March, while Koscielny has been hampered by an Achilles injury that saw the tidy Frenchman limp off at the half of the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Manchester City the first week of April.

Asked what the odds are the experienced duo will make Monday's match, Wenger added, "Eighty per cent. At the moment it’s pretty good, but sometimes the 20 per cent can play a villain’s part in the final preparation."

Consistent with a drab campaign by Arsenal's standards, each bit of good news comes with a lousy announcement, with Wenger confirming that second-choice shot-stopper David Ospina and fringe first-team forward Lucas Perez are certain to miss out.

Arsenal heads into Monday's North Yorkshire trip seven points adrift of fourth-place City with one match in hand and three back of Manchester United.

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