Arsenal Boss Confirms Injury Blow As Key Man Ruled Out For Another 2 Games

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has offered an update on the fitness of Laurent Koscielny and confirmed the defender is expected to miss the next two games.

Koscielny was a surprise omission from the team that lost to Swansea City at the Emirates last Wednesday night with Wenger confirming at the time that the defender was suffering from a minor calf complaint.

The centre-back was subsequently ruled out of our trip to White Hart Lane as we drew 2-2 with Tottenham on Saturday but there were hopes that he’d be available for Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay at Hull City.

However, Wenger has now revealed that not only will Koscielny continue on the sidelines for tomorrow’s trip to the KC Stadium but he’s also expected to miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion.

Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on Laurent Koscielny…
Laurent will be short for Hull. he has a chance to be available for the weekend, but I think even for then he will be short.

It’s a real blow to lose Koscielny for the next two games as we look to book our place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup tomorrow and remain in the title race against the Baggies this weekend.

Gabriel has done well alongside Per Mertesacker at the heart of defence for at least the next two matches but we should see Calum Chambers come in for tomorrow night’s FA Cup replay at Hull and give one of them a rest.

As long as he doesn’t suffer any sort of setback over the coming days, Koscielny should be available for selection for next weeks daunting trip to the Nou Camp to take on Barcelona in the second leg of our Champions League last-16 tie.