Falcao set for comeback

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim expects Colombia striker Radamel Falcao to make his long-awaited comeback from injury at the Emirates Stadium next weekend. Falcao was ruled out of the rest of the 2013/14 season and subsequently missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ after suffering extensive knee ligament damage in January.

The 28-year-old has spent the summer stepping up his recovery and looks set to run out for Monaco for the first time in six months when they tackle Valencia - and then potentially eitherArsenal or Benfica - at the Emirates Cup tournament, which takes place over the weekend of 2-3 August. Jardim told L'Equipe: "I think he will be able to start playing again at the Emirates Cup. He is now in the final phase of his recuperation."

Falcao moved to Monaco from Atletico Madrid for a reported €60m fee last summer and scored nine league goals before his campaign was ended by injury. Jardim is counting on him being available for selection at the Stade Louis II when the club's domestic season starts against Lorient on 10 August, despite rumours about his future at the club. "For now, he is a Monaco player and I am counting on him," Jardim added.

Falcao could face another fellow Colombian, David Ospina, in north London, after the goalkeeper's transfer to Arsenal from Nice was confirmed on Sunday.