Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that both Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny will miss Saturday’s massive North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur with calf injuries.
Senior centre-back Koscielny missed last night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City, in which first-choice goalkeeper Cech suffered a muscle problem, according to Sky Sports.
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Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista will continue in defence at White Hart Lane, while Colombian David Ospina will replace Cech for a first Premier League appearance of the season.
“Petr Cech struggled. He had a groin problem before the game, and he struggled on a little bit tonight,” Wenger is quoted as saying by Sky Sports news. “He will not play on Saturday.
“It’s a muscular problem, a calf problem. I don’t know how long he will be out. I trust completely Ospina, I have no problem with that,” Wenger added on the man who will replace Cech.
“Koscielny has a calf problem as well. He will not play on Saturday as well.”
Cech and Koscielny are crucial to Arsenal’s spine and being without both of them could make the Gunners vulnerable defensively in a local derby which is intertwined with the title race.
Wenger’s side are three points behind second-place Spurs in the table, and a further three adrift of leaders Leicester City, ahead of their short trip across the capital this weekend.
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