Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny and/or his Achilles need major repairs

Arsenal’s shambolic defense struck again against Southampton, gifting them the only goal they would need to secure a point. Oh, and Laurent Koscielny was terrible too.

Arsenal’s problematic decade has had a few bright spots along the way. One such bright spot has been Laurent Koscielny, who has always been one of, if not the best defenders in the Premier League.

A typical Arsene Wenger signing, Koscielny came from a less-than splendid resume and rose to the top, showing himself to be a superb proactive defender that boasted incredible athleticism. He was the embodiment of reliability and the thought of him not on the pitch was horrifying.

Now, however, the thought of him on the pitch is horrifying. For me at least. Because while the boulder of confidence that Koscielny built looked indestructible, consistent rain fall this year has started to introduce some cracks. And something needs to be done about it.

Koscielny was directly responsible for two goals against Manchester United, which ended up being the difference, and he was awfully shaky yet again against Southampton.

One of two things is happening here, and they both require the same solution. Either Koscielny is just getting old, which is perfectly normal, and can’t play every single match, or Koscielny is still struggling with his bum Achilles and can’t play every single match.

Whatever the case, the solution is pretty simple: He can’t play every single match.

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This takes me back to why in the hell Gabriel Paulista was sold. He was so similar to Koscielny that he would have been an excellent spotter in times like these, when Koscielny’s form is tanking for one of two interchangeable reasons.

It’s such a weird feeling, but I have to advocate for Koscielny getting the sit down. When a team is struggling, especially in one area (defense), there is no one that is above being dropped. Not a soul. And Koscielny can’t be above that either, despite how clutch he has been for the club.

There are options. Swapping to a back four, giving one of two young Englishmen a chance, anything. But we can’t keep running a player out there based on what he has done in his past when the present does not reflect that.

Sounds awfully similar to someone else in the Arsenal attack. Someone who gives the ball away between 15-30 times per appearance. But I won’t name names.

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I have so much respect for Koscielny and what he has done, but again, that doesn’t make him above reproach. He looks frustrated and bedraggled out there and constantly running him out there in the hopes that he will overcome whatever is holding him back is not a conducive activity. Whether it’s his Achilles or just his form, he needs a repair, and that comes from missing some game time.

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