• Premier League

Wenger ready to deploy Koscielny at right-back

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 13, 2011
Laurent Koscielny 'has been educated as a right-back' © PA Photos
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Arsene Wenger says he is confident Arsenal will not suffer a crisis at right-back in the absence of Bacary Sagna.

Sagna added to the Gunners' defensive woes before the international break when he fractured his fibula and was ruled out for three months. But fellow defenders Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou look set to be available for Sunday's Premier League game with Sunderland after missing the last two matches.

And Wenger was confident the centre-back pair - as well as Carl Jenkinson - could fill the void left by Sagna.

''We have Jenkinson, we have Koscielny - who has been educated as a right-back - we have Djourou who can play right-back,'' Wenger told Arsenal Player. ''Koscielny was always a right-back, so he can play there. Even [Andre] Santos can play there, I think, so we have plenty of possibilities.''

Wenger admitted Jenkinson was the most natural fit, also ruling out the prospect of playing fellow youngster Francis Coquelin, usually deployed in midfield, out wide.

'It's more down to Jenkinson because Coquelin has never been at ease as a right-back player,'' Wenger added. ''He is not somebody who likes to play at right-back and his confidence is not high when he plays right-back.''

The Gunners much-criticised defence could also be boosted by the return to fitness of Sebastien Squillaci, who has failed to feature so far this term.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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