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Arsene Wenger hopes Laurent Koscielny can steady Arsenal's defence

Laurent Koscielny will need daily treatment on an Achilles injury until the end of his career
Image: Laurent Koscielny is available to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday

Arsene Wenger hopes the return of Laurent Koscielny can help steady Arsenal’s defence.

The France international defender is available to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, which will be live on Sky Sports, after missing the opening two Premier League games of the campaign.

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Koscielny was sent off in the final league fixture of last season against Everton and was also suspended for the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.

Arsenal have conceded four goals in their opening two matches, losing 1-0 to Stoke City last time out, and Wenger is looking forward to welcoming Koscielny back for Sunday's game.

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"We lost the game on Saturday because defensively we gave a cheap goal away, and it's good to have him back," he said.

"It's been very hard, because I didn't even consider him for friendly games, you know, because I had to play some defenders.

"I think what hurt him a lot was to miss the cup final. He had a reaction in the final game of the season against Everton that was unlucky.

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"He's a very quiet guy and sometimes he can get rushed because he realises, he thinks always he has the speed and the pace to win the tackle; in this case he didn't."

Arsenal may be further boosted by the return of Alexis Sanchez, who has not featured this season due to a combination of illness and an abdominal injury.

Reports continue to link Sanchez with a move away from the Emirates Stadium as he has less than a year to run on his contract and with Wenger admitting no progress has been made on the former Barcelona man signing a fresh deal.

But Wenger has no qualms playing Sanchez despite the uncertainty over his future and believes his return can boost his team-mates.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger updates us on Alexis Sanchez's fitness and position at the club ahead of their Premier League match with Liverpool

"Alexis, when he is in the squad, he can score a goal for you and that is always good for morale," Wenger said.

"He wants to play. Alexis works hard and is focused to play. I think what is good is our mutual interest in that he does well for us.

"His interest is to do well, on top of that I deeply feel that he loves to be here and he loves the club and he arrives at a stage of 28, 29 and looks at the quality of his contract but I think he deeply loves to be here.

"In a professional job I always think that you have to make sure with your commitment that the guy who pays you gets what he is paying you for.

"Alexis is in that mode and I think he will be until the last day he is here, he will give his best.

"To play them or not, no, I don't consider their contractual situation to decide who plays and who doesn't play."

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