Laurent Koscielny has suffered a minor injury to his left calf, but there’s still a good chance he returns in time for the weekend or next week’s matches.

Arsenal confirmed the injury to the club captain on their website on Friday, writing that he has a ‘minor issue’ with his left calf. They say he’s ‘being assessed ahead of Southampton’, as is Ainsley Maitland-Niles after an illness. Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Danny Welbeck are still out for the long term.

Unai Emery revealed in Thursday’s press conference that there was no break for Koscielny, and the issue was a muscular one. He added that the substitution was ‘only a precaution’ because the player didn’t feel good and could suffer a tear if he continued.

The head coach continued: “I hope he will be okay for Sunday and for the next week.”

From the sounds of things, the injury isn’t going to be anything long term, so that’s good news. However, you’d assume Koscielny won’t be rushed back into the starting eleven for Sunday’s match against Southampton if there’s any risk he might end up aggravating the issue.

It’s a good thing Sokratis Papastathopoulos is back, as he can take the Frenchman’s place alongside Shkodran Mustafi for now.