It has been over six months since the Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny last appeared in a competitive match for us, but after a frustrating summer spent watching France win the World Cup without him, and then watching the rise of our new back line, he is now ready to come back as our leader.
His return could not have come at a better time as Rob Holding has now been ruled out for the rest of the season, and all eyes will be on his performance when we face Qarabag on Thursday. Bernd Leno is looking forward to having our captain and leader back on the pitch. The German keeper told Arsenal.com: “In training you see how he is talking to other players,”
“We have many young players and he talks to them and for me he is a big personality in the team, in the dressing room.
“Before Tottenham, he was not in the squad but five minutes before the game he said many, many good things about the history of the game, how important it is for the fans, the club, every player, so he is the perfect captain for us.
“He is a big personality and of course he has big quality. I think we should give him the time [to play]. The coach is calm with him because he was a long time injured.
“I am happy for him that maybe he will play [against Qarabag on Thursday], I think he will play because he needs the confidence to play. His body needs also the feeling for the game.
“Of course, he trained a long time for us but the games are more difficult because the game is different for your head. I am happy for him that he will maybe start on Thursday and of course he will be an option for the next weeks in the [main] starting XI.”
He came through his two reserve matches okay, and we all really need him to pass this next test as we have very few defenders left that can play against Southampton next weekend.
Let’s cheer on our captain and pray he returns to his best very quickly….
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Well this is the second time I’m reading Kos influenced our performance against Spurs. Most importantly, it was after we went a goal down, Kos was in the dressing room and he did almost all of the talking to the players, even Emery admitted it. That’s what I’d like to see from whoever is our captain.
I don’t know why he couldn’t rally the team together against Atletico Last season but I won’t dwell on the past now. I suppose bring a captain under Emery is different from how it was under Wenger. Both have different ways they handle stuffs, while I’ve noticed Emery prefers his captain being the first leading on the pitch, hopefully it goes on like this forever.
I think it’ll be a good idea to Start him alongside Papa on Thurs since Papa would miss the Sunday match, and let Monreal get some game time like 30 mins on Thursday. Then Monreal and Litchsteiner starts on Sunday because that match will be too tough to Kos into for now.
We will need his experience more on Sunday. Because he is returning from injury, it is better to give him few minutes on Thursday and start him on Sunday. The same goes with Monreal.
The younger players should play on Thursday.
I agree I
Spot on I, we’re screwed for Sunday as it is! We need Koscielny
Sue ,you mean bocsieny?
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NO! Despite the season end injury that was suffered to Holding at Man Utd, I would rather say Arsenal still have many able first team squad defenders in place at the Ems in: Bellerin, Lichtsteiner, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal and Kolasinac. That’s 8 in numbers to navigate Arsenal through the rigorous Christmas period match scheduling that looks to begin as from on Sunday the 16th to New Year day 1st Jan when Arsenal will play 5 PL games and 1 League Cup match all 6 matches in 17 days. An average of 1 game in every 3 days is certainly a case of over footballing since these 6 games will be played by human-being Gunners and not Robot-Gunners.
I agree but if Emery will also agree. The look to return from injury, Koscielny and the 1 match ban, Sokratis should start the Qarabag FK match in the Europa on Thursday night at Ems. And Monreal too should be given some couple of minutes in the 2nd half of the match to play so as to further get the much needed match fitness in readiness for the likely to be a though away match against Southampton in the PL.
That’s all I have to say for now. Good afternoon to all fellow Gooners.
Samuel, I love how very polite you are. Rather quaint but very welcome. May I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and return your welcome “Good Afternoon” wishes.
Hopefully he’ll be okay. I’d prefer to just give him 45 mins, and keep him fresh the Southampton game. We may need to look at another CB in January if we lose another CB for a while, but the priority has to be a winger. Selling Ozil, and Ramsey, will generate some much needed funds.
Why does anyone think we are SELLING Ramsey in January?
The player has personally confirmed that he will see out his contract and leave on a free to wherever he deems right for him.
A terrible state of affairs, wonder who’s to blame for this ridiculous situation?
I thought this was all going to end once the new regime was in place?
With regards to Ozil, Kronkie sanctioned a new deal for him and has obviously invested heavily in the player.
Just wonder whats going through his mind now, losing £20-£40 million on Ramsey and, as it is now being reported, recommended a loser at, it’s suggested, £300,000 a week.
Thank goodness we have our Captain Kos back to fitness and doing what comes naturally to him, rallying the team.
SO PLEASED that he was made captain by WHOEVER it was and recognised by Unai as the perfect CB/CAPTAIN for our club.