Arsenal: ‘Beckenbauer’ Koscielny The Solution, Not The Problem

Laurent Koscielny has been criticised for lacking leadership. He, though, is the solution to Arsenal’s character issues, not the problem.

Arsenal’s lack of leadership has been an issue that has plagued them for many years. Unlike the great champions of years gone by, this current squad boast the talent capable of great success but the mentality of harming it. It is a cause of great frustration.

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Many have laid the blame at the door of Arsene Wenger. Perhaps that is fair, perhaps not. However, while he shouldn’t be absolved from any criticism, the players on the pitch must be held accountable for their seemingly annual collapse in both the league and Champions League.

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Ex-Gooners Paul Merson and Charlie Nicholas have had their say on their former club’s troubles. When discussing the dismantling at the hands of Bayern Munich, Merson stated that Laurent Koscielny’s exit should not have had the effect it did:

"“They all looked lost, it’s not like he’s Beckenbauer. He’s not [legendary Germany defender Franz] Beckenbauer, he’s a centre-half.”"

Then, both discussed the apparent leadership qualities that Koscielny boasts. When asked about Koscielny’s role as captain, Merson scoffed: “I’ve never seen him have a go at anybody” to which Nicholas added: “I’ve never even seen him point a finger at anybody. The only time I’ve seen him point a finger is when he’s like that [pointing] at the dugout, ‘I’m injured or I’m coming off'”.

Such scathing comments regarding Koscielny and his character, though, do not testify to his true influence on the team. The Frenchman is in the midst of his most accomplished season since making the move to England. He has established himself as a top quality defender, boasting not only the athletic traits that modern-day centre-halves must possess but also an increased awareness and intelligence in his defending.

Moreover, Koscielny’s communication with his teammates is far superior to that of years past – this is primarily out of need given Per Mertesacker’s long-term absence and Shkodran Mustafi, his usual partner, being new to the team.

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It would be naive to claim that Arsenal do not have a leadership problem, especially when on the pitch. Nonetheless, that does not mean that every single player is lacking in this area. One player who isn’t is Koscielny. He is, in fact, a part of the solution, not the problem.