Laurent Koscielny back training with Arsenal earlier than expected

Laurent Koscielny has returned to training at Arsenal ahead of schedule following his serious ankle injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.

The skipper has not featured since the Europa League semi-final defeat by Atletico Madrid in April when he suffered a ruptured right Achilles.

He was not expected back in training until October but has returned to London Colney and is making progress in his recovery.

'He's working very hard,' Unai Emery said of Koscielny, who was spotted running outside on Thursday. '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.'

Asked when he could play, Emery added: '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.'

This weekend sees Jack Wilshere return to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since signing for West Ham. Emery told Wilshere he could leave following a meeting in May.

'I spoke with him for 15 minutes here in Colney before he left,' Emery said. 'The first thing for me is I have respect for his career here.

'And then, he chooses what the best was for him in his future. It's for that, on Saturday, I know that here, the supporters like him and have this respect also.

'I think there is a good reception for him here. Then we are going to play and we are going to think after that, for us to win. But, I [hope] the best for his career.'