Arsenal's Granit Xhaka set to recover for Southampton trip but Laurent Koscielny a doubt

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James Benge9 May 2017

Granit Xhaka looks set to be available for Arsenal’s trip to Southampton but vice-captain Laurent Koscielny will require a late fitness test, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Xhaka suffered a recurrence of the ankle injury that he first received in the defeat at Tottenham last month during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Manchester United.

The Swiss midfielder enjoyed one of his most impressive performances since joining Arsenal in the crucial victory over Jose Mourinho’s side, scoring a deflected long-range effort to give the Gunners the lead.

However the potential loss of Koscielny would be hugely damaging for Arsenal, with the French centre-back the only player to have started every game in the back three since Wenger’s switch to the 3-4-2-1 last month.

“We have some worries for Koscielny, that he might not be fit for Southampton, he will have a test today,” Wenger said in his pre-match press conference.

“Xhaka similar, but he looks to have recovered well, the news for him is better but he will have a test as well today.”

Wenger also confirmed that Danny Welbeck was “ok” amid reports the forward’s toe injury, which he has suffered since returning from a second major knee surgery, had flared up again whilst Lucas Perez is also fit.

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