Koscielny’s back — and he can’t stop smiling
LAURENT KOSCIELNY could not stop smiling after Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Qarabag and the defender strode away from the Emirates Stadium with a new bounce in his step.
For most, this had been an end-of-group Europa League kick-about on a freezing cold Thursday night. Arsenal already through, a chance for youngsters to get a first-team run-out, a few out-of-form squad members to play themselves into some rhythm. Not for Koscielny.
In his own words, this was a ‘special day’. His start had been his first appearance in seven months since rupturing his Achilles tendon 12 minutes into the defeat to Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the same competition last season.
‘I’m very happy,’ said Koscielny, 33. ‘It was a special day for me. Just before you come on the pitch you think about what you did. I had some flashes of the seven months of rehab. Now it’s the end. Now it’s a new chapter.’
He admits there were dark times during his rehab. ‘You have good moments, you have some bad ones. But you have people around you to help you and keep your head up.’
Koscielny’s return from injury has coincided with the absence of fellow defender Rob Holding who will be out for up to nine months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the draw against Manchester United last week.
Koscielny said: ‘I texted Rob. He’s a strong boy. I know he will work hard to be back as soon as possible.’