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Laurent Kocielny Injury Update Leaves Arsenal In Serious Trouble
By Josh Sippie
The one person on the injury report that Arsenal need back more than anyone else is the one person who is due out for longer than expected: Laurent Kocielny.
Kocielny was originally expected to rejoin Arsenal after the International break, around November 22nd, but now that date is being pushed back, as his recovery time has been delayed.
Since the dynamic defender went down, Arsenal have had one of the shakiest defenses in the Premier League, with the most recent upset fresh in our minds. After being up 3-0 against Anderlecht, Arsenal’s defense (or midfield, or attackers, depending on who you ask) surrendered three goals to drop to a draw in horrific fashion.
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Blame who you want, it was the defense that crumbled in the end, and everyone from Per Mertesacker to the unfortunate Nacho Monreal looked helpless.
Unfortunately, Arsene Wenger is helpless to amend the situation as well. The only solution is the return of Kocielny, who’s partnership with the German is arguably the best center back combination in the league.
Without Kocielny, this defense will continue to make costly mistakes. The only potentially immediate fix is to put Chambers at center back and let Hector Bellerin take over at right back, but even that is unproven.
This match-up against Swansea is a big test for the defense. It’s highly fathomable that Wenger will continue the same recipe for defense (which conventionally is a recipe for disaster). Swansea is resting securely in seventh place and a victory over the Gunners will leapfrog them ahead of our boys from North London.
All we can do is wait for the return of the prodigal defender, and it’s going to be quite the nerve-wracking wait.
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