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Koscielny handed shock start against Partizan

Laurent Koscielny was stretchered off against Fulham © PA Photos

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Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will start Wednesday's Champions League tie against Partizan Belgrade, despite fears he would be sidelined for up to three weeks.

Koscielny suffered concussion after a collision of heads with team-mate Sebastien Squillaci at the weekend and went off on a stretcher during the 2-1 win over Fulham at Emirates Stadium.

Manager Arsene Wenger feared he would lose the defender until the New Year, along with long-term injury victim Thomas Vermaelen, but Koscielny has recovered quickly.

He will now start alongside fellow Frenchman Squillaci on Wednesday, as Johan Djourou, who replaced him against Fulham, has sustained a minor injury.

"Koscielny has been declared fit to play and will play tomorrow," Wenger said at his pre-match press conference. "We lose Djourou, because we are a bit cautious with him. He could have played with a risk, but we did not want to take a risk.

"Emmanuel Eboue comes back into the squad, the rest will be the same against Fulham."

Robin van Persie is feeling his way back to fitness and he is in the frame to start on Wednesday.

"He is getting better and better and ready to start," Wenger said. "He was ready to start two weeks ago if you ask him.

"He is a player who has been out for a long time and wants games. I haven't decided the starting line-up but it is a possibility [that Van Persie will be in it]."

Having lost their previous two Champions League group games, against Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga, Arsenal must equal the result of the Portuguese side if they are to qualify for the knockout stages. Braga play away in Ukraine.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.