After Arsenal had disposed of Crystal Palace this weekend, scoring four goals after just 22 minutes, Laurent Koscielny reflected on their current plight. His words were of focus and togetherness and it would be easy to think that these are obvious objectives, easy to put into place. The fact of the matter is that, this could not be further from the truth and his performance highlighted this. His absence this season has been heavily felt by Arsenal and now that he is 32-years of age, this should be a concern.
It was Marcel Desailly who said once that the Frenchman reminded him of Lilian Thuram, this was not just because he is quick nor is it simply because he can defend. He is intelligent and what’s more he is aware of his surroundings, which even some players of better quality often are not. The man who signed from Lorient, seven years ago now, has developed and improved immeasurably since he came to England. One quality that has seen his turn into one of the leagues most accomplished defenders and what Desailly also saw in Thuram, is his awareness and ability to control his back line whilst still focusing on his own game.
To put this into context, look at Inter in Serie A and Joao Miranda. The former Atleti player doesn’t resemble Laurent in his playing style yet there is a comparison. At the Milanese club, Jeison Murillo, Andrea Ranocchia and Juan Jesus were just a few examples of talented individuals who leant on Miranda for guidance. It was no surprise that when Miranda had the occasional off day, so did the defence. The Brazilian could often be seen guiding, encouraging and instructing the defence whilst still being able to play his own game. This is a skill, an ability that even some of the most gifted center backs don’t have but Koscielny has it in abundance.
Even World Cup winner Shkodran Mustafi, who is arguably as, if not more talented, does not carry this ability. It was evident again against the recent defeat to Bournemouth that when he tried to lead his back line his own performance suffered. It was almost as if the desperation in his young defensive partners filtered back through to him, as he saw that his words had no impact. This does not discredit Mustafi as a quality defender, far from it, but only goes to exemplify the superb understanding and calmness that resonates in the Frenchman.
Arsenal have needed this intelligence at the back more than ever this season, especially as Arsene Wenger continues to persist with the back three despite the obvious failings of this system. The Arsenal coach has complained vigorously about ‘individual errors’ and mistakes in naive areas and he is right. Like at Bournemouth, Arsenal have lost games despite not coming under a huge amount of pressure and the likes of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have struggled at times without a strong influence on either side of them. Not helped by Petr Cech’s dwindling form, (that’s another story) these talented youngsters have not been able to keep clean sheets for the Gunners, they have only two in the last 10 games.
The fact that, even when Arsenal have played four at the back, they have shipped goals that should have been avoidable, shows the uncertainty that is embedded in the defence. Even Hector Bellerin, Mustafi and Senad Kolasinac have been guilty, see games against Manchester United, Southampton and Manchester City. Chambers and Holding in particular have looked nervous but they should not be hung out to dry. They are talented, Holding especially but they still have a lot to learn and need guidance. Whilst Mustafi certainly can give this on-field advice, his own game can falter as mentioned and that is why Koscielny has been so integral when he has played.
The Frenchman is not without fault either, that is for sure, but his errors are becoming few and far between and with Per Mertesacker moving into a coaching role (perhaps a little to late) in the summer, it is essential that Arsenal look to address their defensive frailties. Whilst talented defenders are getting hard to find, ones with intelligence and leadership like Koscielny has are even harder to find. Tony Adams himself was not the most talented and yet look at the influence he had. Finding character, intelligence and ability is perhaps a job for Sven Mislintat but he had better hurry up as Koscielny, according to Lorient chairman Loic Fery, wants to end his career in France.
