The France national team has released Laurent Koscielny from their squad for two friendlies over the weekend.
Les Bleus take on Portugal in Paris on Saturday and Armenia in Yerevan on Tuesday but will be without Arsenal defender Koscielny who is struggling with Achilles tendonitis.
A statement on the France Football Federation's website read: "Since joining [France in] Clairefontaine on Monday, October 6, Laurent Koscielny has been suffering with chronic tendonitis of both Achilles tendons for several months.
"Without noting any favourable changes for three days, and after discussion with the player and Franck Le Gall, doctor of the France team, Didier Deschamps decided to release Laurent Koscielny to his club."
It is a minor blow for Arsenal, who have lost Mesut Ozil for up to three months, but the injury is not expected to keep Koscielny out of their next Premier League fixture with Hull City on October 18.
