Arsene Wenger is facing yet another defensive dilemma with stand-in captain Laurent Koscielny under an injury cloud heading into Arsenal’s opening Champions League game against PSG.
Koscielny scored a stunning overhead kick as the Gunners came from behind to defeat Southampton 2-1 at home on the weekend.
The Frenchmen also copped a boot to the face in the lead-up to Santi Cazorla’s late penalty which earned the Gunners all three points.
“It is a little concern, it’s already very swollen,” Wenger revealed after the match.
The manager was full of praise for the 31-year-old following the win, who has proven to be one of Arsenal’s strongest performers in recent times.
“He is one of the most experienced players we have now here,” he added.
“He is one of the longest-serving defenders and I think he is one of our best players. When I think about the squad, when you choose a captain as well, you think of one with a good chance to play in every single game and that’s not easy nowadays.
“He has committed to the club for a long contract and he has always improved every year. Today he is an outstanding centre-back.”
Wenger also praised his defender’s ability to step up at the right time.
“He doesn’t score that when it is 4-0 for you, he scores at 1-0 down and that’s always a special quality. It was his birthday and he gave himself a great present.”
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