LONDON • Arsenal are facing a mini-crisis at the back ahead of their Premier League trip to Southampton today, with three of their regular centre-backs either injured or suspended.
Rob Holding was ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate ligament last week, while Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos will both serve a one-match ban at St Mary's, having accumulated five yellow cards this term.
So it was a relief for manager Unai Emery to see Laurent Koscielny return to full fitness in midweek after seven months out following Achilles tendon surgery in May.
The Arsenal captain played 72 minutes in the Europa League 1-0 home victory over Qarabag on Thursday and is hoping to be in the running for his first league start of the season against the Saints.
Koscielny, who also missed out on a place in France's World Cup-winning squad, said the injury has been one of his toughest battles as he had to "learn how to walk" again.
"It's difficult to be injured because when you start rehab, you have to re-learn how to go step by step on the stairs, and it's difficult at the beginning, because you look like you can't be back on the pitch," the 33-year-old said. "I'm proud of myself."
Emery is planning to play Stephan Lichtsteiner alongside Koscielny or Nacho Monreal in what will be a makeshift backline facing Ralph Hasenhuttl's men.
Â
Although this could be Koscielny's second appearance after his long-term injury, his manager has no worries over his ability to do the job for the Gunners, who are seeking to extend their unbeaten run to 23 games in all competitions.
The Spaniard told reporters: "This process with him is to take confidence again, take rhythm for playing matches. We are going to continue this process maybe on Sunday."
THE TIMES, LONDON
SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL
Singtel TV Ch103 & StarHub Ch228, 9.30pm
Koscielny returns to plug gap at the back, Football News
Posts about Koscielny written by Paul. Arsenal 1-0 Swansea City. Szczesny, Sagna - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Gibbs, Frimpong - Arteta - Ramsey, Walcott - Arshavin - Van Persie.
Air Force will bring back up to 1,000 retirees to plug gap in
If Gabriel does face an extended spell on the sidelines, Wenger could head into next Sunday's season opener with Liverpool with just new man Rob Holding and Calum Chambers available at centre-back. Arsenal could yet sign a new player to plug the gap in time for the Premier League curtain-raiser or rush Koscielny back earlier than expected.
Koscielny | Up The Arsenal
Alternatively, he may opt to use Lichtsteiner as the right-sided centre-back - as was the case at Old Trafford - to plug the gap until the likes of Koscielny, Mavropanos and Nacho Monreal return
Arsenal news: Should the Gunners make a move for Kurt Zouma?
Proper Gapping Instructions If it is necessary to widen the gap, do so with a tool that only pulls back on the ground electrode without touching the center electrode or the porcelain. To close the gap on a plug, gently tap the plug, electrode first on a hard surface.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on December 16, 2018, with the headline 'Koscielny returns to plug gap at the back'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Rob Holding injury: Arsenal defender ruled out for rest of
Air Force will bring back up to 1,000 retirees to plug gap in pilots, other rated officers combat systems officers and air battle managers could return to active duty under a major new
Arsenal v Chelsea Match Report, 19/01/2019 - goal.com
Arsenal can close the gap on Tottenham to just one point with a win over Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This is the line-up I'd like Unai Emery to select…Goalkeeper: Leno Bernd Leno will
Gabriel Paulista: Wenger talks defender's injury & Koscielny
Premier League Match Report for Arsenal v Chelsea on 19 January 2019, includes all goals and incidents. Have your say on the game in the comments.
Proper Gapping Instructions - NGK.com
Petr Cech backing young Gunners to plug gap left by Per Mertesacker injury - and keeper says Arsene Wenger won't buy for the sake of it. Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker out for five months with
[Image] Koscielny out, Jenkinson starts | How Arsenal should
Arsenal opinion: Should the Gunners make a move for Kurt Zouma? The Sun has reported that Arsenal manager Unai Emery is keen on adding defensive reinforcements in the summer. Appointed by the club
Petr Cech backing Arsenal young guns to plug gap left by Per
No comments:
Post a Comment