Arsenal legend Ray Parlour feels that the team have missed the presence of Laurent Koscielny this season.
Speaking to the Daily Express, the former Gunners midfielder was quizzed about what he thought Unai Emery’s plans would be ahead of the January transfer window.
Parlour highlighted that Arsenal could improve their current selection of central defenders but was quick to reiterate that Koscielny is closing in on a return to fitness. The 45-year-old said:
For me centre-half, he could probably strengthen. But he’s got Koscielny coming back, they’ve missed him, but he’s a little bit older but I’m sure he’s working hard to get back in the side so I think he’ll assess the situation when it comes to January.
Koscielny has not yet made an appearance for Arsenal this season as he continues to recover from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The Frenchman, who confirmed his international retirement earlier on this year, has been sidelined since May after sustaining the long-term injury in Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid.
Throughout the opening stages of the season, Arsenal boss Emery has opted to utilise a partnership of Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos at the back.
With Koscielny continuing to near a return to fitness and with the January transfer window fast approaching, though, the Gunners manager may be looking elsewhere to tighten up his side’s defence.
