Bernd Leno has welcomed the impending return from injury of club captain Laurent Koscielny and revealed the Frenchman lectured the Arsenal squad on the importance of winning the north London derby.
Sidelined by a ruptured Achilles since May, the defender is set to make his first team comeback on Thursday against Qarabag in the Europa League. Assuming he comes through that tie unscathed there’s a high chance, given the suspensions to Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis and injuries to Rob Holding and Dinos Mavropanos, that he’ll also get game time at Southampton on Sunday.
It’s a big moment for the 33-year-old, who’ll be under pressure to help the Gunners extend their 21-game unbeaten run into the hectic Christmas period.
“In training you see how he is talking to other players,” Leno told Arsenal.com.
“We have many young players and he talks to them and for me he is a big personality in the team, in the dressing room.
“Before Tottenham, he was not in the squad but five minutes before the game he said many, many good things about the history of the game, how important it is for the fans, the club, every player, so he is the perfect captain for us.
“He is a big personality and of course he has big quality. I think we should give him the time [to play]. The coach is calm with him because he was a long time injured.
“I am happy for him that maybe he will play [against Qarabag on Thursday], I think he will play because he needs the confidence to play. His body needs also the feeling for the game.
“Of course, he trained a long time for us but the games are more difficult because the game is different for your head. I am happy for him that he will maybe start on Thursday and of course he will be an option for the next weeks in the [main] starting XI.”
He is the boss!
Need him v Southampton, hope he has recovered well.
yes! I agree, and that is why I wouldnt play him on Thursday vs Qarabag
He needs match time to accumulate himself.
He also needs recovery time? its tough playing thursday-sunday when you have been injured for a long time.
Can I point out how Kos is aging like fine wine? The man looks damn near regal!
He got rid of that choppy Bart Simpson barnet. Good decision.
He did look like a kid with that old haircut
Legend.
Apparently cried during the meeting the players had last season to address Arsenal’s issues at the time. He is Arsenal through and through.
He could be considered a legend by now right?
True, but I’m not sure crying is usually considered a hallmark of great leadership.
Great player and good guy though.
Lead with his heart
It’s almost saying how his preferred style of captain is. I guess some other captains are not the traditional leader type.
long live Sokcielny the mustafi inhibitor
What does it even supposed to mean…???
Why is everyone ignoring the fact that Mustafi is our first choice defender, no matter who is injured or not?
Mustafi is having an amazing season right now, he us our highest rated player this season, even ahead of Aubameyang. Maybe if his performances are compared with the rest of the defenders in the premier league instead of Tony Adams, people would seewhy he will always play ahead of anyone.
Mustafi cops way to much flack from some fans. He actually is a quality defender and would be in most EPL starting 11’s. I think some fans expect players to never make mistakes and be the perfect player… fantasy dream land me thinks!
Yet I’ve read here in the discussion many times that he’s not a leader, but hey.
I’d like to be a fly on the wall in my next life.
Lolo leads by example. Can’t wait for him to come back.
Best signing in the last 10 years for us.;) Started off rocky first season own goals red cards and penalties conceded aplenty. But never looked back after and formed a decent partnership with Metersecker for a short while. We will need him in this likely his very last season for us. Any appearance from him is a bonus given wear and tear issues. And it starts with potentially this weekend against Soton. A good opportunity to stress test him with a run out against Qarabag if he is pass fit and ready. I expect we will try and continue with… Read more »
If he doesn’t pass fit, the man I feel who should fill in the central role defensively is sitting next to him – Elneny.
Welcome back Kos ?