%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal: Marcus Rashford Praise Of Laurent Koscielny Wholly Justified
Marcus Rashford has stated that Laurent Koscielny is the toughest defender he’s played against. His praise of the Arsenal man is wholly justified.
For those have lived under a rock for the past few months, Marcus Rashford is the latest young sensation to take the footballing world by storm. The Manchester United striker simply oozes class – he’s fast, direct and a lethal finisher and he has some rather high praise for one Arsenal defender in particular.
Related Story: Top 5 Premier League Centre-Half Pairings
Laurent Koscielny has gradually developed into a truly formidable challenge for opposing attackers. Not only strong in the air and tough in the tackle, he is more than quick enough to track runs in behind, has grown in his reading of the game, and is now blossoming as a leader of the Gunners’ back four.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
He has slowly established himself as a world-class defender, and now Rashford is the latest player to praise his talents. When asked who, in his short career, was the toughest opponent, Rashford was quick to name Koscielny, stating:
"“Laurent Koscielny at Arsenal. He was a difficult defender to play against.”"
Such praise for the centre-back is wholly justified. Other than Vincent Kompany – who has suffered greatly with injuries over the past few campaigns – there has not been a better centre-half in the Premier League. Koscielny has played with a whole host of different partners, from Per Mertesacker to Rob Holding.
He is now developing a rather formidable partnership with £35 million man Shkodran Mustafi. The two share much of the physical gifts – great pace, power and strength – but Mustafi is far more willing to be composed, sitting off attackers rather than the more aggressive Koscielny.
This is the Frenchman’s biggest strength. This season, Koscielny has made 2.7 interceptions a game and in the last three years, has made 3.8, 3.5 and 2.8 interceptions per game in the Premier League. Such numbers are extremely impressive and display an incredible ability for winning the ball back in front of opposing strikers. With the high press game that Wenger is currently employing, defenders that are able to win the ball back frequently, stepping high up the pitch are very important.
Next: Arsene Wenger's Best Starting XI
Koscielny is the very best at this. Rashford is acutely aware of the skills of the Frenchman and Arsenal are extremely lucky to boast the talents of such a complete defender.