Laurent Koscielny will return to the heart of Arsenal’s defence for the trip to Anfield (Getty)

Laurent Koscielny is set to return to action for Arsenal this weekend – and it can’t come soon enough for the Gunners.

The centre-back has been suspended for the first two Premier League matches of this term following his red card on the final day of last season.

That ban is over and Arsene Wenger has confirmed the France international will return for the game against Liverpool on Sunday.

‘The early team news is that Koscielny is back available for selection,’ said the Arsenal manager ahead of the trip to Anfield.

Wenger has been unable to call on the 31-year-old so far (Getty)

With the Gunners having conceded four goals in their opening two games, Arsenal fans will be relieved to see him return.

Wenger has been forced to put together a makeshift back-line, with Nacho Monreal having played in the centre of a back-three against Leicester and Stoke.

Arsenal have looked suspect at the back, including in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke (Getty)

But just how much Koscielny improves Arsenal is clear from their stats with and without him in the side.

Five key metrics, provided by Oulala.com show Arsenal concede fewer goals, keep more clean sheets, win more, lose less and register more points with Koscielny in the side.

The stats

With Koscielny in the side Without

0.97 Goals conceded 1.3

39% Clean sheets 35%

60% Wins 43%

18% Losses 30%

2 Points per game 1.5

 

With Liverpool looking rampant in their Champions League win over Hoffenheim on Wednesday, Koscielny’s return couldn’t be better timed.

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Wenger will also be able to call upon Alexis Sanchez, who is fit again after injury.

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Graphic provided by Oulala.com, the daily fantasy football game.