Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur: Laurent Koscielny fit enough to play in north London derby

Defender was a doubt after missing Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich

Laurent Koscielny was rested for the defeat in Munich

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is expected to return to the side to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, despite a hamstring pull he felt before Wednesday’s 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Koscielny felt the twinge at the team hotel so manager Arsène Wenger decided not to risk him against the Germans. But with the international break ahead next week to create recovery time, it is thought that the 30-year-old, whose form has been instrumental to Arsenal tailing the Premier League leaders Manchester City only on goal difference, will start the north London derby.

Hector Bellerin, who also missed the defeat in Germany with “a small groin problem”, will sit out the visit of Spurs as the Gunners’ injury problems show no sign of abating.

Tomas Rosicky is unlikely to be back from his knee injury until January. He saw his specialist in Munich and was given the all-clear to start running again next week. But the prognosis is a further six to eight weeks’ lay-off following a cartilage operation at the start of August.

England wingers Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are out until after the international break. Both were injured during last week’s League Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, while Aaron Ramsey is out for a month after suffering a hamstring strain in last month’s home match with Bayern.

Jack Wilshere has yet to feature this season after suffering a calf injury during pre-season training and is not likely to return till next month, while Danny Welbeck (knee) last made an appearance for the club in April.