Don't Miss

Koscielny Injury Update Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

By mac14 on December 20, 2013

Some good news and some bad news regarding the fitness of Laurent Koscielny. The Frenchman was forced off just before half time last Saturday during our 6-3 loss to Manchester City with a nasty cut across his knee-cap.

The bad news is that according to reports today, the defender is certain to miss our crucial top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea at the Emirates on Monday night.

However, the good news is that the injury is not as bad as first feared and Kos could be back to take on West Ham on Boxing Day.

Goal claim that Arsenal’s medical staff had initially thought the cut would keep Koscielny out for at least three weeks due to the fact the wound spreads across practically the entire knee cap, and any slight movement would make it very difficult to heal.

Three weeks would rule Kos out of our busy festive period and he’d miss not only Chelsea, but also our games against West Ham, Cardiff, Newcastle and Spurs.

However, the report suggests that now that the injury has had almost a week to recover following a procedure to close the wound with 10 stitches, there is a chance the 28-year-old could be back to face the Hammers on Boxing Day. If the game at Upton Park still comes too soon, then his comeback will be against Newcastle on the 29th.

Thomas Vermaelen will deputise alongside Per Mertesacker, but it will be a relief to get Kos back as he’s been a rock at the back this season, so thankfully it doesn’t look like he’ll be out for any period of time.