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 Dortmund’s 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.