Koscielny in the Arsenal Squad for Dortmund, But Should He Start? by AT
Ahead of the impending clash against Borrusia Dortmund in the Champions League, the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been given a huge injury boost as Laurent Koscielny has returned to full training after spending two months on the sidelines with an achilles injury. The Frenchman confirmed the good news in regards to the return of his compatriot and even added that he will be available for selection against Borrusia Dortmund on Wednesday.
With the Gunners having been extensively hit by injuries so far this season, it has to be said that the long-term injury to Koscielny was the most bitter blow considering that the squad does not have quality cover in that position. The injury to the French international has resulted in Nacho Monreal having to play in central defence, making the Arsenal backline a very prominent weak link in the side.
But now that the Frenchman is available for selection, should he be directly thrust into the starting eleven when the Bundesliga runners-up come visiting?. As a result of Laurent not having played competitive football in two months, he might very will be a bit rusty and Dortmundβs free-flowing, high-intensity football will demand a lot of work rate from him, which may lead to complications as the game goes on. So in my opinion, I really think he should be on the bench rather than start.
While it will surely be a gamble to field Monreal at centre-back once again, I feel that it will be a bigger gamble to introduce Koscielny directly into the starting eleven in such a big game.
With a very busy Christmas period to look forward to where the fixtures come thick and fast, surely Wenger would not want to risk the fitness of his best defender.
I’m not so sure. Epl is out of our hands, FA cup isn’t for a while, UCL is all We got! Might as well try and play him.
epl is out of our hands? 12 games in ? bloody hell- prefer not to get relegated
if the ucl is all we got we are f*cked. we are not in the top ten teams in europe- what chance do we have-
glad people now see kos is one of our only vital players- along with alexis
no, I think we’ve always seen him as one of the reliables. We never talked about him because he was always played consistent and at 100%. We also never showed him that much appreciation because of that.
Thank god he’s back, but yes this is a risk to play him against crazy Dortmund. But a win will seal a spot in the round of 16. Managerial decision.
Just win.
…the lottery
Podolski WILL start today.
That’ll be cool. I just feel like he’s more of a PR for twitter and Insta these days…
apparently, he’s not. Sanogo is ahead of him. So wenger thinks Sa No Goal is better than Podolski.. lol
How does Fifa 15 rate Mert 83
And Kos only 81
What are they smoking
He got an extra 2 for proving he can turn faster than milk.
Must be what Brenda was smoking when he sold Suarez and bought average players.
More chance of us winning the treble than Poldolski starting.
He’ll if Poldolski starts I will go from anti Wenger to pro, just kidding
Wenger is spiteful and stubborn, he will never forgive Podolski for speaking out and will probably never play him again.
Remember Wenger’s ego is way more important than Arsenal to him.
when did Poldi speak out? When he was complaining about his playing time?
@Mesut O-grillz,
Less than week ago. Said that ‘he’s not some clown to sit in the stands’ etc.
oh yeah, that’ll do it.
Nah, you’re not kidding. We’ll hold you to your word π
Players are never declared fit if dey don’t feel comfortable, and dats y every player remains out for at least a few weeks, to ensure 100%fitness.
Going by d heading of dis article u wud mean dat every time a player comes bak from injury he shudnt b thrown straight into action bcos of ”fear” of getting injured again. Dats ridiculous.
im hopping for a win but expecting a loss
Don’t worry,
We all know that we are going to get hammered,
At least by 4 goals lol
1 hot dog for each goal?
your gonna have a great night π
Hahaha
no no I won’t be watching the game muffin,
I will be far too busy stuffing my big fat saveloy into a place you once came from π
u mean north london? gd luck with that.
hows mummy fatboy? still using chip fat for bath foam?
tell her im sorry about her b’day- they were all out of battered batter.
still watch her jeremy kyle cameo when i miss her
Hahaha
Yes, you are part right about north London π
And mummy sends her regards,
You were always a cheap skate π
i think he will be playing from the start, it would give the defense more confidence and once the defense is confident the team will be also. We have about 5 weeks leave before the opening of the window and a feel strongly our ridiculous manager will be bringing in 2-3 players, with a strongly feeling two will be on loan.
I would also use Monreal in a 2 man Dm with Arteta , especially if Podolski gets a start on the left, i expect Sanogo to start even if Welbeck is able to play, Sanchez in the number 10 role and ox out wide, i think we need sanchez to have that freedom. i for one thinks he and welbeck needs at least two weeks off to recharge and get going again
So then… what’s everyone’s predicted lineup?
Martinez (ffs)
Chambo Jr — Merty — Nacho — Gibbs (Aubameyang smiles creepily to himself)
Arteta ——- Rambo (Arteta to solely protect our kingdom)
Ox ———- Santi ———– Alexis (the good, the surprisingly bad, and the fatigued)
#datguywelbz (hopefully dat guy bags them goals)
Same sh*t different day. but trying to keep some faith. coyg.
Must play: Rosicky/Poldi/Campbell and bellerin. I know the kid is undersized and the first order of business would be to put some muscle on him but his speed would be useful
If Koscielny doesn’t start please don’t put Monreal as CB.
Gibbs…..Mertsacker…Chambers…Bellerin
………………………Goalkeeper
I would like to see
Welbeck
Sanchez….Cazorla…Ox or Campbell
Ramsey…..Arteta
Gibbs…Mertsacker…chambers…Bellerin
Martinez
If Welbeck isn’t playing well sub with Podolski
If Cazorla isn’t playing well sub with Rosicky
And don’t wait till 78th minute to sub if we are behind.
If Koscielny plays, Id like to see Chambers on as defensive midfielder like
……………..Podolski……Welbeck
Sanchez………..Cazorla………..Campbell
…………………Chambers
Gibbs….Mertsacker….Koscielny…Bellerin
…………………..Martinez
Armenian welbeck is gonna make sure we don’t lose the game
Arsenal will win the ECL
easily this season.
Mark my words.
i just urinated on your words
Thank you Muff.
Your always my main supporter.
I am honoured.
lol its your show- im merely a prop
Hahaha
Nice profile picture π
Let’s see if you will jinx them in the same way as you jinx Arsenal π
Ramsey will start, and try world class passes from the first minute which aren’t accurate at all.
Who knows maybe Wenger might even surprise us with the proven talent of Sanogo according to him.
Guaranteed is Sanchez is going to make atleast one though ball, and one over the top throughball = creating two clear cut chances.
Mancini says he’d love to coach arsenal, yeah i love it………… Aob suckers hope u love it too!!!
Admin please take off that comment its stupid, i got so high so i could bear the tension if………… Where i watch matches is always full of chelsea fans and im the only gooner, i go there cos i can’t afford the satellite tv monthly bills
The boss has a trademark of starting a player that has not being recond with by the Gooners. Who knows, he might start Sanogo and Welbeck in the firing line while Sanchez start behind the duo. Whoever the boss start with, let them please win the game and go home with all the 3 points. A win for the boss in this game will relieve him by 50% of the fire his been under. I can’t remember when last the boss has been this under-fire in his job that is massively being put on the line by the Gooners. And also openly sort after by a Roberto Mancini. I am eagerly awaiting our starting line-up.
sigh. what happened to our squad guys, what happened.
its called puberty
haha i don’t know why you guys thumb down muffdiver, he’s hilarious
Our medical team stinks. Anyway, I’m off to the game so ” UP THE ARSE!”
Wengers fault jack is always getting injured,,,,Keeps on playing him in CAM role,,,,,, hes wayyy better as a deep lying playmaker,,as shown in ENgland performances
Like I said above in my last comment, Wenger did surprise us with the goal machine that is Sanogo.
And for the 4th game running after clearly saying in press conference that our defence is ‘naive’ and ‘not cautious enough’ he starts with the again. At least shuffle it up with Monreal at Rb ( if you don’t like Bellerin) and Chambers in CB.
Sanogo over Campbell??????????? alexis shud have started up front
Apparently Sanogo is better than Podolski or Campbell upfront.
well, he scored in one minute
Seen the team sheet
Thumbs down wenger doesn’t learn
Thumbs up if you think he has
I watched Machityyyy being outclassed by 10-men Bayern and honestly I prayed ,, I fMonreal is going to play CB n we meet them in Last 16,,,,, the rest I can’t really say…. Wenger,,, don’t you have eyes??? How do you feel when a great team like Arsenal plays like a mid table team…? I wish your wife could leave you for delaying to buy her a present while penny pinching…. This guy must be stingy in real life….
Another defeat tonight looks on the card.Keep this up Wenger and you be out
sonogo seems to tower over mert, goal!