Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny is back in the squad for the first time this season as Unai Emery names him on the bench for the team that face Huddersfield today.
The 33-year-old suffered an Achilles injury that kept him out for seven months and fans were given hopes when he recently played twice for the club’s U-23 team.
The Frenchmen wasn’t expected to make it tonight. However Unai Emery sprung a surprise by naming the Koscielny on the bench with Nacho Monreal also making his return and it has just brought a BIG SMILE on everyone’s face.
Despite being 20 games unbeaten now and Gunning for the 21st against Huddersfield, Arsenal have had some problems on the back. Yes, they were playing without their ‘skipper Kos’ until now and his return might just bring a huge boost to Arsenal’s defence.
Emery indicated Koscielny could return against Huddersfiled, though confirming his involvement in mid-weeks Europa League clash against Qarabag.
“We are on a gradual way with him,” Emery said in his pre-match press conference.
“He’s played two matches with the under-23s. He played 85 minutes on Tuesday and our plan is that he can maybe be with us in the 18 on Saturday.
“Maybe he can play against Qarabag in the Europa League. He’s working with us with very big performances every day in training. He’s playing for the under-23s with a good feeling. The next step is for him to be with us.
Emery went on to describe How influential can Laurent Koscielny turn out to be for the Gunners.
“He gives us experience, quality, personality,” he added.
“We need every player and we need also for him to train with us. The next step is playing. He can play with us and be with us normally.”
ARSENAL LINE-UP AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD (Koscielny on the bench):
🕑 Time for #ARSHUD team lineups…
It’s so good to have you back in the squad, @6_LKOSCIELNY and @_nachomonreal 👋 pic.twitter.com/7pLKzt104C
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) December 8, 2018
HERE ARE SOME OF THE FASTEST TWEETS FROM THE GOONERS WATCHING LAURENT KOSCIELNY NAMED ON THE BENCH:
Looks like Koscielny has a gold stitching on his suit to show he’s captain! Great to have these guys back!
— 007ORBZ (@ORBIMUS_PRIME) December 8, 2018
Koscielny returns to Arsenal beanch after long term injury. Welcome back captain.
— Den (@den_1886) December 8, 2018
It would be interesting to see whether Koscielny and Monreal slot into the defence in the coming weeks. Our two most reliable defenders.
— Eneks (@doneneks) December 8, 2018
I’m happy with this lineup, and it’s nice to see Koscielny and Monreal on the bench Come on Arsenal, let’s get the important three points! #ARSHUD
— Olasoji (@Olasoji_AFC98) December 8, 2018
Good to see Koscielny and Monreal back in the squad. That balance in the first XI is awful however and I expect us to be behind/level at half time before Emery makes a double change at half time.
— X I I I (@Neshkhn) December 8, 2018
I just hope Lichtsteiner can provide good cover until Koscielny is back.. he seems more comfortable at CB as he isn’t challenged that much on his pace
— Matang (@myrtiin) December 8, 2018
Feels like Koscielny is back sooner than we could have hoped
— Lucas Torreira FC (@theiconic14) December 8, 2018
Aubameyang & Lacazette up top, what a lovely sight. Koscielny also on the bench, I missed him so much.
Not expecting anything less than 3 goals from us today, midfield lacking a little creativity but we’ll still get the job done.
Come on, Arsenal!
— ً (@afcIeo) December 8, 2018
Great to see Koscielny back on the bench. My only concern will be how much creativity we have in midfield. That’ll probably be the main role for Xhaka.
— Sam (@TheEmeryEra) December 8, 2018
Nacho and Koscielny back is such a boost. We’ll be covered well at the back during the busy season. I hope we still go out and buy a defender in January.
— crackazette (@amigroot_14) December 8, 2018
OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS, OH MY DAYS
KOSCIELNY ON THE BENCH, VERY STRONG CHANCE I’LL SEE MY BABY BIGJKKFSFHDTIHHTRHJOIGFBDSRT
— Niaomi54 (@Niaomi54) December 8, 2018
Ain’t Nobody Like Koscielny
— Ahmar (@ahmarAFC) December 8, 2018
Nacho and Koscielny backed pic.twitter.com/1dossDzLX5
— Naz (@Naz_AFC1) December 8, 2018
Laurent Koscielny on the bench for Arsenal against Huddersfield today, first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in May. I predict a late substitution for him if Arsenal are well ahead. #ARSHUD
— HughatReuters (@rtrsmpghl) December 8, 2018
Koscielny pic.twitter.com/PYwvIu4F00
— Tiana_JamLucian (@TianaTickLegz) December 8, 2018
great to see lolo koscielny back on the bench!
— TÖ (@trehvaaa) December 8, 2018
Just happy koscielny is back
— Major Bison (@Ozee101) December 8, 2018
Koscielny and Monreal are back. I’m f*cking so excited ..No Holding?, no problem
— Arsenal Chat (@ArsenalChat01) December 8, 2018
Its a delight to have you back, Captain!! Looking forward to watching you week-in-week-out and I’m waiting for that iconic duo of ‘Sokratis-Koscielny’.
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