According to reports on Wednesday, Laurent Koscielny has made a swift recovery from the injury which forced him to be withdrawn against Norwich City.

The French defender hobbled off with a hip problem after just 10 minutes on Sunday as the Gunners were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.

Initial claims had suggested Koscielny was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines along with Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla who have been ruled out for several months.

However, according to a report from the London Evening Standard, the centre-back is preparing to return to training with the first team on Friday.

The news comes as boost for an Arsenal defence which was easily pegged back by an equalizer from Norwich’s Lewis Grabban after Mesut Ozil’s opener on Sunday.

Another Arsenal man set to return ahead of the clash with Sunderland is club captain Mikel Arteta who was last seen in the 2-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

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