Didier Deschamps Confirms Laurent Koscielny Will Miss World Cup

France national team coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of the World Cup after damaging his Achilles tendon during the 1-0 Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday night. The 32-year-old suffered the injury during the opening exchanges of the game and Arsene Wenger thereafter suggested that the problem was rather serious.

Deschamps has now come forward to confirm the defender’s long-term injury which is expected to sideline him for the summer World Cup in Russia, he said: “It’s a very big blow for the French team.An injury never comes at the right time. I am really very sad for Laurent because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career.I wish him strength and a good return to the field, because I’m sure he still has some great things to show.”

Koscielny has obviously come for criticism for his declining performances over the past couple of months and his latest setback could drop him down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. An Achilles problem normally takes a minimum of six months to recover and this should encourage the Gunners to reinforce the defence in the summer with a couple of quality centre-backs.

As per reports, Arsene Wenger’s successor is likely to receive a hefty £200m budget to spend on new signings during the summer and much of this could be used to rectify the flaws in the midfield and defensive departments. Wenger’s final season is expected to end in a sad note after the Gunners failed to progress beyond the Europa League semi-final but the Frenchman is nevertheless expected to receive a grand reception during his last home game for the club against Burnley this weekend. A victory over the Clarets should seal the sixth spot for the campaign.