Arsenal's Koscielny returns from back injury, will play vs. Newcastle; Mertesacker still out

Arsenal has its rock back in the centre of defense.

The club announced prior to Saturday's match against Newcastle that Laurent Koscielny, who missed last week's goalless draw with Liverpool due to a back injury, will indeed return to the lineup for the contest at St. James' Park.

In doing so, the Frenchman hits an impressive personal milestone with the Gunners:

Defensive partner Per Mertesacker, who missed the aforementioned match with the Reds due to an illness, remains sidelined, leaving Gabriel to partner Koscielny against the Magpies.