Arsenal have been hit with the news that Laurent Koscielny will be out of action until the New Year. The Gunners are already without Thomas Vermaelen until January as the Belgian defender continues his recovery from an Achilles problem and now he has been joined on the sidelines by Koscielny.
Koscielny suffered concussion during the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 win over Fulham last weekend following a collision with fellow centre-half Sebastien Squillaci.
The summer signing from Lorient is now likely to be on the sidelines for up to three weeks meaning he will miss the crucial games against Manchester United and Chelsea this month.
"The medical team inform me he [Koscielny] has picked up concussion and could be out for three weeks,' said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The injuries to Koscielny and Vermaelen mean Squillaci and Johan Djourou will have to form a makeshift pairing for the busy festive period for the current league leaders.
