At a time when the wolves are baying for the blood of Gabriel Paulista and Per Mertesacker it is perhaps worth remembering Arsenal’s other centre-back.
Laurent Koscielny has undeniably been one of the club’s stand-out performers this season and you dread to think what state the defence would be in had he sustained a long-term injury.
Even against Barcelona, the best team on the planet, the Frenchman held his own against Lionel Messi until two late sucker-punches dented an otherwise exemplary first-half.
Such a level of performance has now become the norm for Koscielny and it is perhaps why he is often not given the praise he deserves.
