Laurent Koscielny played for Arsenal U23s on Tuesday against Portsmouth

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is fit and available for the first time in seven months despite limping off in his return for the U21s.

The Frenchman, who remains the club captain despite not yet playing for new manager Unai Emery, came through 85 minutes of the Checkatrade Trophy win over Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

There were concerns he may have re-injured his Achilles, which had kept him out since May, when he was seen grimacing as he was substituted for Nathan Tormey.

Laurent Koscielny has been out since May with an Achilles injury suffered in the Europa League semi-final

But Sky Sports News reported that Koscielny just suffered cramp and was assessed on Wednesday morning before being given the all-clear to return to the first team.

The club issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that Koscielny had "come through the game without complications".

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Arsenal travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday night, which will come to soon for Koscielny, but he could make his long-awaited return when they host struggling Huddersfield on Saturday.

"Laurent Koscielny continued his rehabilitation on Tuesday with an appearance for our U21s in a Checkatrade Trophy game at Portsmouth," the Arsenal statement said. "We lost 2-1 but Laurent completed 85 minutes and has come through the game without complications.

Laurent Koscielny returned to training at London Colney last month

"Laurent, who played 45 minutes for our U23s at Derby last week, will not be involved against Manchester United tonight. He will be assessed ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Huddersfield Town at Emirates Stadium."

Koscielny's last game was the Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Wanda Metropolitano, when he last just 12 minutes before being taken off with an injury and replaced by Calum Chambers.

That was his 324th appearances for the club in eight years, since a £9.7m move from French club FC Lorient.