Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny departure Armageddon scenario

Laurent Koscielny refused to deny a possible exit with Marseille sniffing around his services. While an exit is unlikely, if he was to leave, it would be an Armageddon scenario for Arsenal.

In the lead up to a conceivably defining summer transfer window for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, much has been made about two key narratives: the big name recruits that fans are yearning for and the potentially disastrous departures of one or two key players of the current squad.

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The latter story has focused on the futures of two men in particular. Both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have just one year remaining on their current contracts, both have hinted that they would like to leave in search of trophies, both on a domestic and European front, and without Champions League football on offer, it is increasingly likely that the Gunners will be unable to convince them to stay with the club.

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As a result, the futures of many other key members of the squad have been somewhat ignored. Olivier Giroud faces a significant summer, as does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs. Another is centre-half Laurent Koscielny, who has been the linchpin of the Arsenal defence for many years. The Frenchman has been linked with Marseille incessantly in recent weeks, and when asked about the reports, he was hesitant to deny the possibility of a departure:

"“‘I have a contract with Arsenal, I even signed an extension last November until 2020. I feel very good over there… I have always said that I was a Marseille fan when I was younger. When a mythical club like Marseille contact you, it is good.”"

Now, clearly, those comments do not mean that Koscielny is definitely going to leave. However, amid the hoo-hah engulfing Ozil and Sanchez, they did alert me to the slim chance that Arsenal would have to navigate the harrowing scenario in which Koscielny is no longer with the club.

If Koscielny was to leave, it would leave a major hole at the heart of the defence. Per Mertesacker should not be relied on for little more than an experienced, tutoring, reserve role; Shkodran Mustafi is a good support option but is not ready to anchor the defence, while Rob Holding and Gabriel are good depth but not ready or able enough to be relied upon as consistent starters.

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Koscielny leaving is an unlikely scenario. Wenger is a huge fan of his, recognises his importance and would need to dip back into the transfer window to find an apt replacement. But if he were to leave, it would be an Armageddon scenario for the Gunners.