Arsenal boss offers fitness update on Bellerin, Tierney, Holding & Kolasinac

Unai Emery provided a brief fitness update on Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Sead Kolasinac following Arsenal’s Europa League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bellerin returned to full training earlier this month as he edges closer to making his comeback from a serious knee ligament injury that’s kept him out since January. Emery has already said he will give the full-back plenty of time to build-up his fitness before considering him for the first team and the Arsenal boss has now confirmed Bellerin will step-up his recovery by playing for the U23s against Wolves this evening.

Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic on deadline day carrying a groin injury and Emery also suggested he wouldn’t rush the Scottish international back too soon after he resumed full training earlier this month. It looks like we’re going to ease Tierney back into action as he will join Bellerin in turning out for the U23s later today.

Holding has been stepping up his recovery from a knee injury in recent weeks by playing for the academy side and the centre-back travelled to Germany for Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Frankfurt. He didn’t make the match-day squad but Emery has confirmed Holding is close to making his first team return, which will be a big boost.

Kolasinac limped off during the impressive 3-0 victory over Frankfurt last night but thankfully Emery has confirmed it was only a minor issue so hopefully he’ll be available to face Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking after the game last night, Emery told Arsenal.com:

Rob Holding is getting closer to us now. Tomorrow, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney will play with the under-23s.

He [Kolasinac] played on Sunday, tonight and he felt a small problem but I think he’s fine.

It’s going to be a massive boost when Bellerin and Tierney are available again as they will hugely improve our current options in the full-back areas but it makes sense not to rush them back. Hopefully they can come through a couple of games with the U23s and be available for first team duty in early October.