Here’s to Laurent Koscielny: Arsenal’s imperfect, peerless centre-half

THERE'S nothing quite like a comeback story. When Laurent Koscielny’s achilles ruptured against Atletico Madrid back in May, fans and experts alike were forced to wonder whether we might see Koscielny at anything like best again.

In the 2-0 win over Chelsea at the Emirates, however, the Frenchman showed that he is still capable of a towering performance. For 90 minutes at least, Arsenal had their captain back.

It remains to be seen if this was a one-off. Koscielny had initially looked shaky upon his return—understandably so—and it may be that this was this signature performance might be beyond him on a regular basis.

Ain't nobody, like Koscielny

Introducing the #ARSCHE man of the match… pic.twitter.com/PhIAiLRiOo

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 19, 2019

There was something quasi-supernatural about it, akin to Per Mertesacker’s heroic efforts in the FA Cup Final of 2017. This wasn’t a cup final, but as far as Arsenal’s chances of making the top four are concerned it may as well have been. Koscielny seemed to be everywhere, cutting out cross after cross, and making 13 clearances in the course of the game. Then, on top of that, he capped his day by netting the crucial second goal.

This was a reminder of how good Koscielny has been for Arsenal. He arrived in the midst of their trophy drought, initially a promising but error-prone centre-half. He was infamously at fault in 2011’s League Cup Final defeat to Birmingham City. However, he didn’t allow that to break him. He improved.

Koscielny became one of the finest centre-halves in world football. His recovery pace was second to none, and his footballing ability oft-overlooked. In an Arsenal defence that was often chaotic, Koscielny was as close as Arsenal fans got to having a defender they could rely upon.

20 – Laurent Koscielny has scored in each of his nine seasons in the Premier League and is the first Arsenal defender to net 20 goals in the competition. Stalwart. pic.twitter.com/HfixpFAvh9

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 19, 2019

Not that he was ever perfect. His proactive style left him prone to the occasional error. Despite his seniority, he’s not a natural organiser, and it’s no coincidence that his best spells came alongside the tactically astute Mertesacker.

Sokratis Papastathopolous, who partnered Koscielny against Chelsea, deserves some credit for pulling players into position and allowing Koscielny to focus on his own game. However, for all his flaws, Arsenal haven’t had a better centre-half since Sol Campbell. Signed from Lorient for £10 million back in 2010, he’ll surely be remembered as one of Arsene Wenger’s best signings.

No-one will begrudge Koscielny this moment in the limelight. His career has been beset by considerable misfortune. He arrived at Arsenal during an unusually lean period for the club, and had he been surrounded by better players would doubtless have more medals in his cabinet. Suspension ruled him out of the 2017 final, and his achilles injury robbed him not only of a potential Europa League Final, but France’s World Cup win. To recover from those psychological blows, and perform at the highest level, is huge testament to his character. 

Laurent Koscielny suffered a severe injury at 32 years of age and many wondered if he’d ever recover. He subsequently missed France’s World Cup triumph. He never gave up whilst in rehab and was phenomenal today, at both ends of the pitch. Hats off to him, no one deserves it more.

— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) January 19, 2019

Who knows how long it will last? Maybe Koscielny can’t perform to this remarkable level every week. Few can, and it was clear at the end of the game that it had taken a considerable physical toll on him.

It has been rumoured that this might be Koscielny’s farewell tour; that having recovered his fitness he might take the opportunity to return to France and Ligue 1. Marseille has been mentioned, and it would certainly be an attractive proposition for a player who has been away from his homeland for a year shy of a decade.

However, there is an alternative. Koscielny still has a year to run on his existing Arsenal contract, and given so many other of his “five captains” have already fallen from favour, Unai Emery would surely be interested in keeping him around.

Even if he can’t produce this sort of monumental performance on a weekly basis, that doesn’t prevent him being deployed tactically when required. If Arsenal need Koscielny, he’ll be there. He showed that on Saturday.