Arsenal injury update with Koscielny and Xhaka set for tests

Arsenal could be without Granit Xhaka and Laurent Koscielny for their trip to take on Southampton tomorrow.

The Gunners need a strong finish to the season to have any hopes of climbing their way back inside the top-four, and in-turn qualify for next term’s Champions League competition, and face a tough task away to the Saints.

That trip could now be a little more daunting, as they may end up having to play without Granit Xhaka and Laurent Koscielny, who have both been key players in the new 3-4-2-1 system.

The Swiss international has been forming an exciting partnership with Aaron Ramsey at the base of midfield in recent weeks, and opened the scoring in the weekend’s 2-0 win over Man United, but is set for tests, but is believed likely to feature.

Koscielny is less likely to make the trip however, but we should have Shkodran Mustafi back in the side following an injury, and he may well have to take his place.

Wenger said: “We have some worries for Koscielny he might not be available, he will have a test today.

“We will make the decision after training. Xhaka similar but he looks to have recovered well, news for him is better.”

Lucas Perez is also believed to be available for the trip to Southampton following an injury, while Santi Cazorla remains on the sidelines.

Danny Welbeck is also believed to be out after picking up a toe injury against Man United on Sunday.

The Saints will also be without their key defender in Virgil Van Dijk, who has been sidelined since February, and could miss the remainder of the season.

The defender is linked with a switch to Arsenal (as well as a number of other clubs), but his manager Claude Puel claims they will not be selling the defender.

How much of a blow will it be to lose Koscielny tomorrow? Who would take Xhaka’s central role if he was ruled out?

Pat J

Tags Arsenal Koscielny Southampton van dijk Xhaka

19 Comments

  1. Good news is Van Dijk wont be available, Kos is a big blow for this vital match.
    Anyway, we have Mustafi back and it will be interesting to see if he can be the main man in the absence of Kos.
    We have two options, the first is to switch back to 4-2-3-1 and we have this back four;

    ……bell……..Mustafi……Holdini….Monreal…. or

    3….4….3:

    Mustafi…..Holdini…..Monreal….
    And we also have a certain Paulista… all in all, i think we shouldnt be too defensive in this match as S’oton wont give us space so we need to attack… i hope Xhaka makes it

    1. I think 4 defenders is best in the absence of Kos

      ……bell……..Mustafi……Holdini….Monreal…. is perfect

      1. Gabriel played Well in his last Game, while Mustafi has been a bit of a liability and as for Bell? … ?? stick an ‘END’ to that and that would perfectly sum him up of late.

        1. I thought Gabriel was unconvincing against Spurs…he is also not consistent enough imo…

              1. Gabriel was shocking against Spu, he gave Oxlade no help whatsoever along with Ozil and he he done that thing that he is always close to the edge of doing, it buried us.

        2. It would appear that Bell has been passed the mantle by Ramsey, although even Rambo didn’t go as far as modelling his hairstyle on aforementioned appendage.

          1. Nice to see Ramsey’s hair looking a bit less extravagant now. I wonder if will help him find some consistent form, with fewer worries about which hair products to use before matches.

  2. Oh! And if Xhaka is injured, let Elneny play alongside Ramsey… S’oton will be defensive so i don’t think we will be needing Le Coq to start this one…

  3. According to my mayonnaise source ??

    Kos will be passed fit, Xhaka and Danny Setback won’t.
    Holding will be dropped back to the Bench and replaced by Mustafi, partnering Kos and Monreal at the back.
    Ramsey and Coq in the DM- ish positions.
    Gibbs and the Ox on the wings.
    Then Ozil and Sanchez with Giroud up front.

  4. Forgot to mention Welbeck, his injury record since joining us has been so frustrating, can’t believe he his injured again…he was ok throughout our last match, or at least he looked okay
    i don’t think we can count on him in the long term

  5. if wenger stays one more year, does he have the juice to draw the level of players we need to upgrade? especially w the likely loss of sanche whichis a huge hole to fill, i see james already looking at united. we all know wenger at his best has a hard time recruiting talent and especially retaining it (cesc, nasri, RvP, alexi, sagna….) but w the aggressive likes of Pep, Mou, and even Klopp, and without a 4th place UCL in hand, can he attract and close world class players?

  6. Holding was the best signing of last summer. Only £5 mil but has great potential and already a good CB

    1. Yeah I was thinking that. Although most of our “Promising young players” don’t seem to get far these days, got to give credit for signing Holding.

      I just hope his development doesn’t start going backwards, as often seems to be the case with our young players these days. With the right coaching and experience he could be excellent for many years to come.

  7. are they , by chance, one and the same person i wonder. they write exactly the same as each other , and they think they are above everybody else on here. have they ever be seen in the same room together i wonder. conspiracy theories abound !.

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