Laurent Koscielny injury update: Arsenal might receive another setback as the player limped out of the game against Portsmouth for Arsenal U21s.
Arsenal are on a 19-game unbeaten run, and spirits at the camp are high following their 4-2 win against Tottenham in season’s first North London derby. Unai Emery’s side made a solid comeback after being down 1-2 at halftime, as Aubameyang scored a brace, and Torreira scored his first goal since joining the side in the summer.
The Gunners will now face Manchester United at Old Trafford, which, despite of the side’s disappointing run, is a tricky fixture.
However, Arsenal are dealt with a heavy blow before the game, as one of the first-team stars Laurent Koscielny is facing injury fears again.
The defender made a comeback for Arsenal last month as he played 45 minutes for the Arsenal U23s against Derby County.
Laurent Koscielny injury update:
The first-team captain is yet to play for the senior team in the 2018/19 season. As the player featured in the youth teams to steer up his comeback for Arsenal’s senior side, he received a major setback earlier this week.
Sad to see Laurent Koscielny hobble off the pitch to be replaced by Nathan Tomey with around 10 minutes left. Let’s hope it isn’t too serious for the experienced Arsenal centre-back pic.twitter.com/XmzHEbfvOM
— Layth (@laythy29) December 4, 2018
Laurent Koscielny limped off the field in the Checkatrade Trophy game against Portsmouth for the Arsenal’s U21s. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Koscielny was seen limping as he was substituted.
According to @laythy29, Freddie Ljungberg said Laurent Koscielny only came off tonight because he cramps, and wasn’t injured. Couldn’t help prevent Arsenal’s U21s from losing to Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy.
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) December 4, 2018
This has come as a heavy blow to his preparations for making a comeback. Koscielny suffered from an achilles injury last season, which kept him out of the French side as they won the World Cup in Russia.
After missing the beginning of the season, Koscielny made a return to competitive football only last month, with an outing for Arsenal’s U23s.
Emery: “When it is a derby we need the other players to give us his experience and character. For example, our meeting today finished with a speech from Captain Laurent Koscielny, for one minute, which gave us the will to win.” #AFC #Arsenal
— AFCPressWatch (@AFCPressWatch2) December 2, 2018
Arsenal has not released an official statement on whether Koscielny has aggravated the injury, or is now facing fresh injury concerns. However, it has been reported that Koscielny suffered from cramps during the game, and was hence substituted.
What next?
Arsenal will be facing Manchester United in the mid-week game in the Premier League game later tonight. While Mesut Ozil is set to miss the game due to back spasms, Nacho Monreal trained with the squad yesterday.
Sead Kolasinac is also fit to play the game at Old Trafford. A win for Arsenal would solidify their position in the top-4, where they entered only last weekend after defeating Tottenham.
