Arsenal Lifted As Wenger Confirms Defensive Injury Boost Ahead of Tottenham Clash

Arsenal have been boosted ahead of their crucial matches against Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur after Arsene Wenger revealed Laurent Koscielny will resume training on Monday.

The 28-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during last week's international break and was subsequently ruled out of France's clash with Holland at the Stade de France on Wednesday evening.

Koscielny was left out of the first team squad on Saturday with Thomas Vermaelen partnering Per Mertesacker as Arsenal secured their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win over Everton.

But ahead of their trip to Munich for the second leg of their last 16 tie against Bayern on Tuesday, Wenger is hopeful the Frenchman will be involved.

"I think he should practice again tomorrow and he has a chance to play on Tuesday," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

Arsenal are faced with the task of overturning a 2-0 score line in Germany after their first leg defeat. However Koscielny was on the score sheet when the Gunners won by that score line in the same fixture last season, giving Wenger's side some faith going into the contest.

Koscielny will also be available for the visit to White Hart Lane next Sunday for the third north London derby of the season. Although news that Jack Wilshere will miss eight weeks of action after suffering as hairline fracture in his left foot rocked the club last week, the Gunners are also likely to be boosted by the return of Aaron Ramsey.

The Welshman has not played since Boxing Day due to a troublesome thigh injury but could be thrown straight back into the first team against Tim Shewood's side. Elsewhere, Kim Kallstrom is in line to make his debut next Sunday having recovered from the back injury that side-lined him the day after he sealed his loan move to the Emirates.