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Ramsey, Monreal on course to return

Arsene Wenger has revealed Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal are on course to return to the team for Sunday’s trip to Everton.

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Ramsey has not made an appearance for the Gunners since being substituted with a thigh problem in the 3-1 victory over West Ham United on Dec. 26 after a series of setbacks, but the midfielder, along with Spain left-back Monreal, should be available for the visit to Champions League-chasing Everton.

“Aaron and Nacho Monreal are back training with the squad, so that is good news,” Wenger said on the club’s official website. “Hopefully they will be available for Sunday.”

The Gunners boss added that Abou Diaby is “back on the pitches” as the Frenchman, who has not played since March 2013, bids to return to action before the end of the season.

However, centre-back Laurent Koscielny remains unavailable with a calf strain and faces a battle to return in time for the home match against West Ham on April 15.

“He is still out,” Wenger said. “The earliest [he will be back] is next week, the latest is the week after.”

Mesut Ozil is still absent with the hamstring injury he sustained against Bayern Munich last month and Wenger has ruled him out of the FA Cup semifinal with Wigan on April 19, although he could be available for the league meeting with Newcastle nine days later.

“The FA Cup will be too soon for him, but he will hopefully be back soon after that,” he said.

Theo Walcott has already been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with an ACL tear but his England colleague Jack Wilshere is expected to be back before the end of the month after picking up a foot injury last month.

Asked about the two players, Wenger said: “They are all right. They are doing well. It is still early for them. Of course, for Theo the season is finished, and Jack is progressing well.”