Laurent Koscielny blow adds to injury woe for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

• e-mail

Arsene Wenger’s defensive problems are not about to be solved by Laurent Koscielny, who is facing another month out with tendinitis in his achilles tendons.

Koscielny’s condition, which has exposed Arsenal’s lack of cover, was initially played down by Wenger but the centre half has not played for a month since France sent him home from international duty.

Wenger quipped he might as well commit suicide if he was to abandon hope of winning the title with 28 games left, but he knows how hard it is to win the Premier League without solidity at the back and Koscielny’s extended absence is a serious issue.

Laurent Koscielny (right) is facing another month out with tendinitis in his achilles tendons

‘He has not started running outside, so you cannot think he will be available in two weeks,’ said Wenger. ‘He will not be available for three or four weeks.’

The French FA let slip that Koscielny (right) has been suffering the problem for some time. It is not likely to disappear and will have to be carefully managed when he returns.

‘There is no need for surgery. His achilles on the scans are quite good. It’s just inflammation. Too much French salami,’ Wenger said. ‘You miss him every time you concede a stupid goal. You think, “Oh, if he was there”, but we have conceded some with him as well. Could we have stopped goals without him? I say yes.’ 

Theo Walcott has just returned after 10 months out with a cruciate knee injury

Theo Walcott’s return from a knee injury has lifted spirits and Olivier Giroud appears to be ahead of schedule on his return from a broken ankle. 

Walcott has played 10 minutes since returning from 10 months out with a cruciate knee injury. He is in the squad for tomorrow’s game at Swansea and will then report for England duty, but Wenger warns he will not be back to his true level until next year. ‘He will go with England and get what he needs,’ said Wenger.

‘He will get competitive training and back into games. It takes two months to be back at your best once you’re in full training. People think you’re back and you play but it’s not like that. You lose the sharpness and the speed.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger still has his sights set on the title

‘At the top level, it’s a fraction of a second that makes the decisions, and to find the confidence to get away from people.’

Arsenal are fourth, nine points behind leaders Chelsea, and yet will not adjust their sights set on a first title since 2004.

‘If I say the objective is not to win the title then I have to leave here and commit suicide,’ said Wenger. ‘The objective is to get back in a position where we have a chance to win the title.

‘Today it looks stupid, but there are 28 games to go. We have 84 points to take.’