Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny a solution to or continuation of problem?

Arsenal’s defense could use a jolt, and Laurent Koscielny may be that jolt. Or is he just a continuation of the problem that has perpetuated this defense?

Arsenal‘s match-up against Wolverhampton was perhaps the first match where the offense was more at fault for the disappointment than the defense. The style of the match allowed Wolves to strike back against the Gunners’ defense and they actually did pretty well with the pressures of the match.

But that shouldn’t hide the bigger problem. This defense is not the sturdy wall that we need it to be. Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding can both be elite as can be, but they aren’t always. They are inconsistent.

There need to be solutions on the way. Names are being tossed about for the January transfer window, but in the meantime, Laurent Koscielny is coming back soon and as such, I want to ask if he could be the solution or if he is just a continuation of the same old problem.

It’s hard to say what exactly it is that plagues this defense. Mental mistakes are always a threat. But a bit more leadership, maybe an infusion of individual talent and a little proven experience as a backbone could be a fantastic things.

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Koscielny brings all of those things. He has athleticism, he had been, at one time, the best defender in the Premier League. If he can bring his best form, from his prime, then there may be something in simply investing in his return. Maybe he can right the ship that has been so rocky all year. Unai Emery did invest the captain’s armband in him again, didn’t he?

And sometimes an injury like this can really recenter a guy, especially when his playing time is on the line and his career is winding down to a close.

But then again, maybe the problem of trusting too much in what is and has always been there is the problem. Arsene Wenger did it all the time, believing that he had all the necessary pieces to the puzzle but still being unable to put it all together.

Even now, with Sokratis being the new guy here to fix the defense, it is still Holding and Mustafi who are being relied on.

It would be rather convenient if Koscielny could fix things. But he won’t have an infinite number of opportunities to do so.