Arsene Wenger says that Laurent Koscielny is ready to start games having missed over 6 weeks with his Achilles problems.

Asked at his press conference if the French international was capable of returning to first team action, Wenger said, “If I want him to start, he will start.”

He then expanded on the qualities the team had missed in his absence, saying, “He’s got a good partnership with Mertesacker, he’s got pace, he has a great interception rate – he gets in front of opponents – and the quality of his passing as well.”

And although he and Per are the main men, the Arsenal manager hinted he would be willing to mix things around if need be.

“He can be partner with Mertesacker, with Monreal, with Chambers, I don’t rule that out. When Debuchy comes back we have choices.”

The former Newcastle man is doing ‘very well’ according to Arsene Wenger, and is expected to be available again in two weeks, with the game against his old club on December 13th the most realistic return date.