Koscielny Injury Update: Defender Facing Spell On The Sidelines

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed defender Laurent Koscielny is facing three weeks on the sidelines after picking up a groin strain during a 1-1 draw with Everton on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old started alongside Per Mertesacker at the back at Goodison Park but was forced off after just four minutes after landing awkwardly as he cleared the ball. He was replaced by Kieran Gibbs who went to left back with captain Thomas Vermaelen moving into the middle.

Boss Wenger has now confirmed Koscielny has picked up a groin strain and is facing three weeks out. The Frenchman told Arsenal.com:

On Koscielny

He has a groin strain. That’s usually three weeks.

The game ended in stalemate after Marouane Fellaini cancelled out Theo Walcott’s early effort.

It was interesting to see Arsene start with Koscielny and Mertesacker in the middle with Vermaelen at left back. It’s a solid-looking back-line but we miss Gibbs’s pace down the left when he’s out the team and Vermaelen’s best position is centre-back. But does Wenger see his best central defensive partnership as Koscielny and Mertesacker?

It was starting to look that way but with Koscielny now out for three weeks, Vermaelen will now move back into his more familiar position in the middle with Gibbs at left back and Sagna on the right. Personally i think it’s a more balanced defence so lets hope they all stay fit now because we’ve got a big few weeks ahead.

What would be your first choice defensive unit? Get involved in the comments section.