Arsenal relief as Koscielny is passed fit to play for France

It had been feared the Gunners defender had suffered a serious knee injury following a training ground collision with Franck Ribery, but he has been cleared to feature

Laurent Koscielny has been given the all-clear to start for France in their friendly match against Japan on Friday night.

The Arsenal defender looked set to miss the game after suffering a knee problem following a collision with Franck Ribery during a training session on Wednesday evening.

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With Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa suspended for Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier with Spain in Madrid, Koscielny’s fitness was a major concern for boss Didier Deschamps.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is likely to have also paid serious interest to developments on the Frenchman's fitness, with right-back Bacary Sagna already struggling for fitness.

However, Koscielny now looks to set to add to his four caps for Les Bleus alongside Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Mamadou Sakho.