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Arsenal’s young starlet Konstantinos Mavropanos is nearing a return to training from a groin injury that has kept the Greek centre-back on the sidelines since September.

The 20-year-old picked up the strain with the start of his club’s Europa League campaign nearing, and had been in line for a call up with Unai Emery happy to make wholesale changes against the lesser sides in the Gunners’ group.

In the 10 games the Athens-born defender has missed, Arsenal have put together a strong run of form that has seen the North London club win every match since back-to-back opening game losses at the hands of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Regularly, Emery has been forced to hand minutes to Shkodran Mustafi and summer signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos, with Rob Holding the only stand-in on offer.

While the club have announced the Greece U21 international is likely to return to training in the latter stages of October, Premier Injuries has the January 2018 signing listed as being available for selection come October 28th.

Europa League is still calling

Despite missing the opening matches of the Europe League group stage thanks to his groin strain, the centre-back’s future still lies in the UEFA competition.

Even if the October 28th date Premier Injuries predicts comes through, it is unlikely Emery will hand a Premier League appearance to his number 27 away to Crystal Palace.

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Arsenal’s next European tie, on the road in Portugal against Sporting CP, will also come too soon for Mavropanos, but the Gunners will have the services of the 6 foot 4 youngster for the return leg two weeks later on, as well as a potential season debut against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup on October 31st.

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On the back of a transfer in January, Arsene Wenger handed Mavropanos three senior appearances in the 2017/18 season.

Emery then followed on the faith the Frenchman had shown by selecting the 20-year-old for Arsenal’s pre-season friendlies against Boreham Wood and Lazio, but only called on his services for a total of 58 minutes across both outings.

With the recently internationally retired Laurent Koscielny still ruled out for another month, Mavropanos’ return is a welcome addition to the Emirates as the gaffer can finally rest both Mustafi and Sokratis.