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Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim expects Colombia striker Radamel Falcao to make his long-awaited comeback from injury at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.
Falcao was ruled out of the rest of the 2013-14 season and subsequently missed the World Cup finals in Brazil after suffering extensive knee ligament damage in January.
The 28-year-old has spent the summer stepping up his recovery and looks set to run out for Monaco for the first time in six months when they tackle Valencia - and then potentially either Arsenal or Benfica - at the Emirates Cup tournament, which takes place over the weekend of August 2-3.
Jardim told L'Equipe: "I think he will be able to start playing again at the Emirates Cup. He is now in the final phase of his recuperation."
Falcao moved to Monaco from Atletico Madrid for a reported 60million euro (£47.5million) fee last summer and scored nine league goals before his campaign was ended by injury.
Show all 11 1 /11Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Wojciech Szczesny The goalkeeper came under criticism during the second half of last season for his momentary lapses in concentration, and with talk of both David Ospina and Iker Casillas set to arrive at the Emirates, the Pole will want to show Wenger why he was right to keep faith in him. Having seen off the challenge of Lukasz Fabianski for a number of years, Szczesny should continue as number one into the new season even if either Ospina or Casillas arrive.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Mathieu Debuchy Debuchy arrived as the replacement for the departed-Bacary Sagna, who joined Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of the season. Despite being favoured by France coach Didier Deschamps at the World Cup, many Arsenal fans felt Sagna enjoyed one of his best season’s before his exit, and Debuchy will have a lot to live up to if he is to justify his £12m move to the Gunners.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Calum Chambers Despite signing for the club this summer, Chambers looks set to start the Community Shield given that Per Mertesacker is yet to return to the club. The 19-year-old impressed during the Emirates Cup, but the Premier League champions will pose a major threat to the young English talent.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Laurent Koscielny The Frenchman formed a consistent partnership with Mertesacker last season, but his ability to play alongside Vermaelen still remains in the balance are a string of less than convincing showings over the past two years. Nevertheless, he has developed in to one of the key players among the current Arsenal squad, and has shown an eye for a goal when he is allowed to get in the box at set-pieces.
Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Kieran Gibbs Gibbs overcame a number of long-term injuries to solidify his place as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, seeing off the challenge of first Andre Santos and now Nacho Monreal. Hopwever, he is yet to reach the performances of his predecessors Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy, although at 24 years old he still has time to nurture his talent and rival Luke Shaw for the England left-back berth in the years to come. He brings a calmness to the Arsenal left flank, which tends to look rather exposed when he is absent.
Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Mikel Arteta The Spaniard is another whose future is up in the air due with interest coming from Italian side Fiorentina. However, Arteta has reaffirmed his commitment to his current club and his happiness at living in London, but he faces a task in holding on to his place in the starting XI given the wealth of options that Wenger has available in the middle.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Jack Wilshere Arsenal’s golden boy has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons this summer, and he faces a potentially career defining season ahead of him that could determine his Arsenal future. With Aaron Ramsey enjoying his best season to date last year that saw him win the club’s player of the season award, Wilshere needs to push on or face being replaced in the first team. A number of injuries have not helped his cause, but a good start to the season could really help him cement his place for both club and country.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Alexis Sanchez Much like Özil, a lot will be expected to come from Sanchez on the basis that the Gunners shelled out – by their standards – a significant fee to sign him from Barcelona. Sanchez is blessed with speed and his natural instincts in front of goal should help him settle quicker than Özil, but he will be judged on his number of goals. Wenger could look to start him through the middle, although the absence of the injured Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recovery from injury is likely to see Sanchez start his Arsenal career on the right wing.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Aaron Ramsey The Gunners will be hopeful that Ramsey can maintain his level of performance from last season after appearing to overcome the thigh injury that kept him out for nearly four months last term. The Welshman was a prominent figure in the Gunners title challenge, and there is no reason why they can’t win further silverware next season with a fit Ramsey in the side. The confidence he should gain from scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup final should see him push on even further.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Santi Cazorla The Spanish magician is a wanted man with interest coming from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, but Arsenal fans will not want him to leave after showing moments of genius since arriving at the Emirates. He has the tendency to blow hot or cold, as he tends to go missing when he’s not at his best, but his best is a joy to watch. Faces a much bigger fight to keep his place this season following the arrival of Sanchez which could see the attacking midfield trio rejigged to accommodate the Chile star.
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Possible Arsenal starting XI for the Community Shield v Manchester City Olivier Giroud Despite calls for him to be replaced – or at least given support – Giroud is likely to continue as Arsenal’s lead striker, at least until the return to fitness of Walcott. Sanchez could take his place through the middle should he start the season slowly, but after showing more last season than he did in his first year with the club, there is an expectation that Giroud can push on further. If he can cut out his habit to miss clear-cut opportunities time and again, he could well contest the league’s top scorer award.
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The former Porto striker has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, who have just signed his Colombia team-mate James Rodriguez, but Jardim is counting on him being available for selection at the Stade Louis II when the club's domestic season starts against Lorient on August 10.
"For now, he is a Monaco player and I am counting on him," Jardim added.
Falcao could face another fellow Colombian, David Ospina, in north London, after the goalkeeper's transfer to Arsenal from Nice was confirmed on Sunday.
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