Arsenal have been rocked by the news they will be without Laurent Koscielny for at least the next fortnight.
Arsenal have been handed another piece of bad injury news as Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out for the next two to three weeks with a calf problem.
The Frenchman was taken off at half-time during the 6-0 drubbing the Gunners received at Chelsea last weekend and he will miss important matches coming up for the club.
It’s a huge blow because Koscielny has formed a solid relationship in the centre of defence with Per Mertesacker for most of the season.
His pace and agility is the perfect accompaniment to the German’s height and power, which is one of the reasons they have gelled so well together since they saw off Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season.
They lost the tie on that night in Germany but a brilliant defensive partnership blossomed.
It’s also a big blow to the side and the idea that the Frenchman and the German would have been looking to react this evening against Swansea, putting in a solid performance in front of home support.
Arsenal’s defence is much better than they showed over the weekend so it was important for their main centre back pairing to respond in positive fashion.
Thomas Vermaelen won’t be complaining one little bit because he now has a chance to step into the heart of the defence with a run of games, which could keep him in the side for the rest of the season.
That’s exactly what the Belgian would have been hoping for ahead of the World Cup after reports throughout this season he feared for his starting place in Brazil, as he wasn’t playing regularly for Arsenal.
He’s a top replacement to have coming into the side but there’s no doubt Koscielny’s problem is a blow to the side. Here’s what Arsenal fans have made of the news on Twitter.
I think Koscielny's calf injury is purely down to being overplayed, but this 'inquest' into all these injuries is better late than never.
— Llew Davies (@LlewAFC) March 24, 2014
We are so unlucky with our injuries. Constantly come at the wrong time as now Laurent Koscielny suffers a calf injury. #KeepTheFaith
— The Gooner Boys. (@GoonerBoys_) March 24, 2014
Koscielny out with a calf injury, Hector Bellerin in! Fun Times with Wenger.
— nvsty (@latebreakfasts) March 24, 2014
Theo, Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere, Koscielny. Those are 5 key 1st team players who are injured. Sometimes I feel like calling our club Injury FC.
— The Positive Gooner (@thepositivedan) March 25, 2014
Koscielny out for the games against City, Everton, and probably Wigan. Ffs, just when you thought our injury record couldn't get any worse.
— wh7 (@cescwh7) March 24, 2014
We are so unlucky with our injuries. Constantly come at the wrong time as now Laurent Koscielny suffers a calf injury. #KeepTheFaith
— The Gooner Boys. (@GoonerBoys_) March 24, 2014
I would now take 4th in a heartbeat... #Koscielny injury a huge blow. #AFC #yearlyinjurycrisis
— Le Pröf (@Jeff__Hughes) March 24, 2014
Things going from bad to worse for Arsenal. Koscielny has a calf injury
— Monkey Sponge (@monkey_sponge) March 24, 2014
So Koscielny is missing the Swansea and City games with an injury, courtesy of our amazing staff...
— Ryan Barton (@_RyanBarton_) March 24, 2014
Praying Koscielny's injury isn't serious!
— Joe Atkin (@JoeAFC_) March 24, 2014
We look at weak at the moment. Walcott, Özil, Ramsey, Koscielny and Wilshere are all out.
— WS (@WillGunners) March 24, 2014
It seems koscielny is out for a few weeks...we just can't catch a BREAK!!!!!! WTF!!
— A.Nail (@GoonerNail) March 25, 2014
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