Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno says Laurent Koscielny is the perfect captain for the club.

The Frenchman has not played a first-team match since May after injuring his achilles against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final.

A return for Koscielny is imminent and Leno believes the Gunners will thrive under his leadership.

He said: "Of course, it is difficult for me to compare before [Koscielny's injury] because I was not here, but in training you see how he is talking to other players.

"We have many young players, he talks to them and, for me, he is a big personality in the team, in the dressing room.

"Before [playing] Tottenham, he was not in the squad but five minutes before the game he said many, many good things about the history of the game, how important it is for the fans, the club, every player, so he is the perfect captain for us."