Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny faces fitness battle to make PSG clash after head kick in Southampton win

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Laurent Koscielny is facing a race to be fit for Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The France international defender was kicked in the head close to his eye in stoppage time.

But though it was a clear head injury and he was lying in the six-yard box, referee Bobby Madley allowed play to continue leading to the foul on Olivier Giroud by Jose Fonte that produced Santi Cazorla’s penalty winner. 

Laurent Koscielny suffered a swollen eye after being kicked in the head against Southampton

The defender is an injury concern ahead of Arsenal's Champions League opener vs PSG

Koscielny is given medical treatment on the pitch during Saturday's Premier League game

Koscielny’s eye swelled up and closed almost immediately, and Arsenal boss Wenger said: ‘Yeah. He will be a little concern. It’s already very swollen.’

And on the referee’s decision not to stop play, Wenger added: ‘Fortunately he didn’t. Maybe he did not see that it was a head injury.’

Wenger was effusive in his praise of Koscielny, Arsenal’s captain in the absence of the injured Per Mertesacker.

Koscielny, who turned 31 on Saturday, scored a sublime overhead kick in the first-half to bring the home side level. Arsenal had gone a goal behind in the 18th minute. Dusan Tadic’s curled free-kick rebounded off the bar and on to the diving Petr Cech’s back before trickling over the line. 

The France international celebrates scoring in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Southampton

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger praised Koscielny's ability to score important goals

Wenger joked that Koscielny did not break out the acrobatic goals often in training, but highlighted his ability to step up and score for his team when it mattered.

‘You know what I like? It was his birthday today and he gave himself a great present,’ Wenger said. ‘But he doesn’t score that when it is four-nil for you, he scores at one-nil down and that’s always a special quality.’

Explaining the decision to hand Koscielny the armband, he continued: ‘He is one of the longest serving defenders and I think he is one of our best players. When I think about the squad, when you choose a captain as well, you think one with a good chance to play in every single game and that’s not easy nowadays.

‘It’s a bit easier for a defender than for a striker or a midfielder but I believe as well he has committed to the club for a long contract and he has always improved every year. Today he is an outstanding centre back.’ 

Virgil van Dijk questioned the referee's decision not to stop play after Koscienly's head injury

Southampton defender Virgil Van Dijk was left questioning Madley’s decision to continue play after Koscielny’s injury in the build-up to Arsenal’s penalty.

‘It was pretty strange,’ he admitted. ‘There were players on our side who were also looking a bit confused.’

Van Dijk was also unsure whether his defensive partner Jose Fonte had actually fouled Giroud for the spot kick.

The Dutch defender said: ‘Giroud was saying there was contact from both and it can’t be a penalty, it’s a big decision in the last minute of the game. It’s not in our favour and it hurts.’