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Laurent Koscielny is one of the best, says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
The 26-year-old defender has been in brilliant form for the Gunners this season and his manager feels he is reaping the benefits from a year in this country
| Bet: | Returns: | Arsenal £23.00 | Draw £34.00 | Tottenham £27.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Arsenal £24.00 | Draw £35.00 | Tottenham £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Arsenal £24.00 | Draw £34.00 | Tottenham £28.75 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Arsenal £25.00 | Draw £34.00 | Tottenham £27.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Arsenal £24.30 | Draw £32.00 | Tottenham £26.50 |
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Jan 28, 2012 12:16:00 PM
By Tom Marshall-Bailey
Arsene Wenger feels that Laurent Koscielny has developed into one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League this season.
The Frenchman was heavily criticised last season as Arsenal's season crumbled, culminating in a terrible error between himself and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the League Cup final.
The 26-year-old failed to deal with what should have been a routine clearance, allowing Obafemi Martins to prod home late on for Birmingham to win against all odds.
This year has been a different story altogether for Koscielny though, who has been a mainstay in the Gunners' defence.
Wenger told Arsenal.com that the first time he saw him, he knew that his fellow countryman had all the necessary attributes to make it in England.
“We found him in France of course, from a smaller team. But you could see that there was something special there,” Wenger said.
“He played at Lorient but first he played with a friend of mine in Tours, who talked to me about him when he played in the second division. Then of course we monitored him with our scouts."
Wenger admits that at times last year Koscielny may have struggled with the physical side of the game in this country but now feels that is part of his overall game.
“I believe that last year you could already see the potential but he did not have that dominance in the duels that he has found this season.
“That makes him, I personally believe, one of the top-class central defenders in the Premier League.”
The Frenchman was heavily criticised last season as Arsenal's season crumbled, culminating in a terrible error between himself and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the League Cup final.
The 26-year-old failed to deal with what should have been a routine clearance, allowing Obafemi Martins to prod home late on for Birmingham to win against all odds.
This year has been a different story altogether for Koscielny though, who has been a mainstay in the Gunners' defence.
Wenger told Arsenal.com that the first time he saw him, he knew that his fellow countryman had all the necessary attributes to make it in England.
“We found him in France of course, from a smaller team. But you could see that there was something special there,” Wenger said.
“He played at Lorient but first he played with a friend of mine in Tours, who talked to me about him when he played in the second division. Then of course we monitored him with our scouts."
Wenger admits that at times last year Koscielny may have struggled with the physical side of the game in this country but now feels that is part of his overall game.
“I believe that last year you could already see the potential but he did not have that dominance in the duels that he has found this season.
“That makes him, I personally believe, one of the top-class central defenders in the Premier League.”
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