While Laurent Koscielny could still feature for Arsenal against Watford on Saturday, his Achilles, which has been giving him issues since August 2014, is being monitored ahead of the clash.

Koscielny’s dodgy Achilles tendon problem isn’t a new one but it’s concerning none the less considering what a key player he is to Arsenal.

The France international has been sidelined since after the West Brom clash at the end of September, just before the interlull, and while it’s unclear whether he’ll feature against Watford at 7:30pm on Saturday, he’s apparently being monitored.

The Telegraph claims that Kos is yet to return to full training while most of the squad have been away playing for their countries in various 2018 World Cup qualifiers. And while the centre-back has been able to feature four times for the Gunners this season, there’s always been an underlying feeling that his Achilles problem could flare up again at any time.

At the moment, the 32-year-old’s problem is being managed rather than fixed.

kos sevilla
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal in action during the Emirates Cup match between Arsenal and Sevilla FC at Emirates Stadium on July 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Back in May, Kos opened up about how tricky Achilles problems are to deal with and revealed how he has to have treatment for it every morning, which he’ll need for the rest of his career.

“I have some problems,” Kos said.

“Now it is better. I know it is a difficult injury because you need to work every day on this. Every morning I have my treatment for my Achilles and I know I need to do this to the end of my career.

“Now, every day I do this and it is okay but sometimes with all the games we play every three days, it is difficult and I need to have a rest to recover well for my Achilles.

“That’s why last time I was injured but now it is okay with this. You need to be careful with this because if you stop doing your own exercise programme for one or two weeks, the problem will come back. I know now I need to do this every day to be fit for my team.

“I am prepared to miss Sunderland to be fit for the last two games of this season. Sometimes it is better to miss one game to be fit for the others.”

Not having Kos available gives Arsene Wenger a bit of a problem on Saturday as Shkondran Mustafi is out with a thigh strain he picked up while playing for Germany.

Calum Chambers is also carrying a hip injury, which leaves Per Mertersacker, Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal as the probable back three this weekend.