Arsenal defender Koscielny to miss France's clash with Uruguay

13-Aug-2012 10:56:00 PM

Arsene Wenger will be left sweating on the fitness of the centre-back ahead of Saturday's game with Sunderland, after his withdrawal from Les Bleus

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been withdrawn from the France squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Uruguay after sustaining a calf injury.

The 26-year-old centre-back is the latest in a line of injuries for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who will also be without Jack Wilshere, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Frimpong for the season's curtain-raiser against Sunderland on Saturday.

"Everybody has arrived this morning and everybody is in good health," said new France boss Didier Deschamps.

"We have a problem with Laurent Koscielny who has a problem with his calf. He will be examined this afternoon but it seems difficult to play him on Wednesday."

Mikel Arteta missed the Gunners' 4-0 win against FC Koln on Sunday, while youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also withdrawn from Roy Hodgson's England squad after picking up an ankle problem.

Wenger will be left sweating on the availability of Koscielny for the visit of the Black Cats, but France boss Deschamps has resisted the opportunity to replace the defender.

"It's not much of a concern to have 21 players," he added.

"I am not going to call anyone else up. Right now we have enough players in that position. Certain people aren't here because of different reasons - also through injury.

"I will have the choice over making the best selection possible in this area. With the withdrawal of Koscielny, three defenders are left. Two will make their debuts, which will help us take a look at them"

The three defenders in contention are Mamadou Sakho, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Raphael Varane.

Inside Goal.Com

Goal Special: I-League Team of the Season
Each of Goal's correspondents select their own XI, before eventually settling on a combined team, which represents the best of the lot from the 2012-13 season...
Champions League Final Tactical Analysis
Brendon Netto analyzes where the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich could be own or lost.
How Heynckes was always undermined
The veteran coach will step down from his position in charge of Die Roten after the Champions League final at Wembley. Goal reflects on how Heynckes was never given due credit....
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
Who is the greatest CL striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel