Arsenal: Just another reason to be thankful for Sead Kolasinac

Arsenal’s fullback situation is muddled with injuries all over again, which gives us just another reason to be thankful for Sead Kolasinac.

In the illustrious history of Arsenal Football Club, it’s unlikely that Sead Kolasinac will go down as one of the best signings ever, but if nothing else, he is setting himself up to be one of then most astute signings. And not just because he can chase away knife-wielding carjackers with is bear hands. (Honestly, how much mileage am I going to get out of this?)

With Kieran Tierney out with injury for about three months thanks to a dislocated shoulder he suffered around the half hour mark against West Ham, Kolasinac is yet again the man, whether we like it or not.

But we should like it. Because Sead Kolasinac has been a spark in times that we need it and arguably more than anyone else. There were times last year he was ticketed for player of the season and when he first arrived the year before, I was beside myself with what a welcome addition he proved to be.

Kieran Tierney came in to replace Nacho Monreal and he was supposed to bury Kolasinac. But instead, Kolasinac sprung up and established that he had, in fact, improved more than we thought.

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And his delivery? Just watch the pull-back to Gabriel Martinelli against West Ham if you have any further questions in that category. It’s been a growing process for him and for the club’s use of him, but he continues to be someone I look forward to every time he gets the ball.

The real kicker, though, is something I always have to remind myself of—he was free. He cost us a whole £0m and in exchange, we have gotten our grittiest, toughest, most fearless player. He’s someone who never quits. And my favorite, he is a fighter. He doesn’t stand for no chumps.

At a time where we had nothing of the sort, Kolasinac brought that. And at a time when we have no other fullbacks, I am again thankful that we have Kolasinac. Because if nothing else, this man is going to fight, and he is going to fight hard.

I know it’s not ideal, as we brought in Tierney to be the guy. But Kolasinac is one hell of a consolation prize. I’m looking forward to three months of his rampaging on the left flank. It’s one of my favorite things.