Laurent Koscielny

[Cripps_orig]

Arsène Wenger insists there is more to come from Laurent Koscielny following his “immense” performance against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

The French defender has taken responsibility as Arsenal’s defensive leader in the absence of Thomas Vermaelen and turned in a near-faultless display to help his side to a battling draw in Germany on Tuesday.

After quickly becoming the Club’s first-choice centre back and making 43 appearances last term, it is all too easy to forget that Koscielny is only embarking on his second season in the Premier League.

His growing maturity has been evident since his move from Lorient last summer and Wenger believes Koscielny has all the makings of an outstanding central defender.

“The fact that he has such a short experience at the top level makes his improvement potential bigger,” the manager told Arsenal.com. “I believe he will be a great central defender.

“I have always thought there is a massive potential in this player. That is why he has already grown this season and I felt in the last 20 minutes he was immense against Dortmund.

“He keeps things simple, he is quick and he reads [the game] well. Like every central defender who comes to England, he was surprised by the intensity of the game but he has adjusted now and adapted.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ter-and-better



Has either Wenger or Arsenal website ever seen Koscielny play? Immense v Dortmund would suggest no

[Flavs]

Like song he is a man of 2 half's. Shite in the first and awesome in the second.

And as Arseblog says he looks like an early drawing of Bart Simpson.

[fakeyank]

Like song he is a man of 2 half's. Shite in the first and awesome in the second.

And as Arseblog says he looks like an early drawing of Bart Simpson.

Agree about the 2 halfs there.. he was fuckin clueless in the first half and was the most dangerous player for Dortmund! 2nd half, he cleaned up his act and did a solid job.

[Cripps_orig]

Theres always a mistake in him and at 26, i doubt he'll improve much.

Sooner the Verm is back, the better

[Joker]

Don't rate him tbh. Looks a bombscare who's capable of a mistake at any moment.

[alexander]

this is just wenger building him up.

he is pretty shit tbh.

[Syn]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ter-and-better

It's possible that he can get a lot better. Age is not the only thing that determines how steep the learning curve is. Also, to be perfectly honest, while his first season contribution wasn't as 'aggressive' and visible like Vermaelen's, he seemed to read the game very well and make a lot of key interceptions. It's quite nice to see a defender that relies on intelligence rather than brute strength and physique as is the trend now days. He needs to be much better in his distribution though - most of his errors don't seem to come from a lack of defensive ability but he gives the ball away a fair bit.

Unsure about whether he'll be good for us this season. I know that he'll probably play a fair bit because Vermaelen's dead. (And as I'm not a fucking child, I don't need to have a strong opinion about every single player - there is a level between 'brilliant' and 'a bit shit').

[fakeyank]

It's possible that he can get a lot better. Age is not the only thing that determines how steep the learning curve is. Also, to be perfectly honest, while his first season contribution wasn't as 'aggressive' and visible like Vermaelen's, he seemed to read the game very well and make a lot of key interceptions. It's quite nice to see a defender that relies on intelligence rather than brute strength and physique as is the trend now days. He needs to be much better in his distribution though - most of his errors don't seem to come from a lack of defensive ability but he gives the ball away a fair bit.

Unsure about whether he'll be good for us this season. I know that he'll probably play a fair bit because Vermaelen's dead. (And as I'm not a fucking child, I don't need to have a strong opinion about every single player - there is a level between 'brilliant' and 'a bit shit').

He also seems to be brain dead sometimes about positioning. He has taken on Clichy's mantle of late.

Speaking of Clichy.. I hope that bugger is enjoying the warmth of his seat!

Soon, he will be sold to Shakthar or some other Greek team!

[Master Splinter]

Soon, he will be sold to Shakthar or some other Greek team!

Shakhtar are a Greek team?

[fakeyank]

Shakhtar are a Greek team?