2 players Arsenal must start in every game if they are to close the gap on Chelsea

Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal are going to have to dip deep now after back-to-back Premier League defeats, which means that their senior players will have to stand up and be counted.

And, although he didn’t have a great afternoon against Chelsea, Laurent Koscielny is the most important of the lot.

Prior to the Chelsea game, the French international was embarking on a fine season at the heart of the Gunners defence, and was beginning to strike up a great partnership with Shkodran Mustafi at the back.

Koscielny has started all but one of their 24 league matches this term to underline his status as the club’s most senior defender, and he’ll need to bounce back fast following a disappointing display against Chelsea, where he himself didn’t cover himself in glory attempting to deny Eden Hazard for the Blues’ second goal.

Nonetheless, as centre-half and captain, the Frenchman will need to lead by example between now and May if Wenger’s men are to close the gap on runaway leaders Chelsea.