After Yohan Cabaye, Laurent Koscielny is also set to miss the friendly against Uruguay at the Le Havre, as the injury problems continue to plague Les Blues
The calf injury sustained by the 26-year-old during Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Cologne is the latest to have surfaced, after midfield sensation, Yohan Cabaye, was also ruled out of the preliminary fifteen, with injury problems earlier this week.
Hatem Ben Arfa has earlier been ruled out by the newly-appointed coach of the France National team, citing disciplinary issues. It is pertinent to mention here that the 43-year-old had a troubled time with France and Newcastle’s exciting midfielder during
his 30year in-famous stint as Marseille coach.
Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez, have already been ruled out of the squad, owing to the suspension they received, after the investigation from French Football Federation alleged misconduct by the duo in their quarter-final match against Spain at the Euros.
Koscielny, who primarily plays as centre-back, and can also play as right-back, was permitted by the France Football Association to leave for London, after reports from the tests at the team’s training camp revealed the injury scare.
The former Chelsea midfielder, and the current coach, in charge of the national team, has according to reports, made it clear, that no replacements will be asked to make up for the injured player at Le Havre. The match against Uruguay holds immense importance
as the squad prepares for FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
France is in group 1 of the qualifiers, which also includes Spain, Belarus, Finland and Georgia. Spain are the overwhelming favourites to come out as group winners, but the optimist tactician, held the view that the team will do their maximum to challenge
Spain for the supremacy in the group.
In the backdrop of the World Cup qualifiers, a mesmerizing display in the friendly against Uruguay will indeed set the tone for a better display in the group stages. The friendly against Uruguay will be watched carefully by all and sundry, as the same team
sprung a surprise in the 2010 World Cup opening encounter, when the resilient opponents held France to a 0-0 draw.
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