Koscielny returns to Arsenal training ahead of schedule after Achilles injury

Arsenal fans have been handed a rather unexpected boost with the news that club captain Laurent Koscielny is back in training less than four months after suffering an Achilles injury.

The 32-year-old center-back is making "very good progress" in his recovery from the problem picked up in the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid in May, head coach Unai Emery revealed.

"He's working very hard," Emery said, via the club's official website. "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."

According to the Telegraph's Sam Dean, the man who has played 324 games for the Gunners across eight seasons in north London was not initially expected to return to training until as late as December.

However, when quizzed on when supporters might expect to see the France star, who missed his country's triumphant World Cup campaign in Russia this summer as a result of his spell on the sidelines, Emery hedged his bets.

"It's difficult to know. You look at this morning, he's running, he's working on the pitch. The progress is very good progress."

Arsenal fans will welcome the popular Koscielny back with open arms, as they've seen their team concede five goals in the opening two games of the Premier League season in defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City.