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Koscielny out of France squad with Achilles problem

Laurent Koscielny takes on Emmanuel Adebayor in last month's north London derby © Getty Images

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Arsenal face another injury blow after Laurent Koscielny withdrew from the France squad for their international friendlies against Portugal and Armenia with an Achilles problem.

Koscielny, 29, has been troubled by the issue for some time and Arsene Wenger left the centre-back out of his squad for August's 2-2 draw against Everton and last month's 2-1 League Cup defeat to Southampton in an attempt to allay his injury fears.

However, the long-term ankle injury sustained by countryman Mathieu Debuchy and Arsenal's lack of defensive cover has forced Wenger to deploy Koscielny more often than he perhaps would have anticipated in the first few weeks of the season.

Bad luck or something sinister?

Injuries have been a feature of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reign © Getty Images

• One issue has plagued Arsene Wenger during his 18 years as Arsenal manager - why does the club continue to suffer so many injuries, despite a root-and-branch investigation and reform of their entire approach to physical conditioning?
  
  Click here to read Miguel Delaney's investigation

A tweet from the France national side's official account confirmed that Koscielny had been ruled out as a result of "chronic tendinitis in both Achilles tendons".

Whether or not Koscielny's withdrawal is a precautionary measure remains to be seen, though Wenger will be hoping his first-choice centre-back will be fit for the Premier League clash against Hull City on October 18 as Calum Chambers is already missing through suspension.

Wenger has already been rocked by the news that Mesut Ozil faces 10-12 weeks out with a partial lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee and he will be hoping that the rest of his stars can stay injury-free over the international break, with Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud, Mikel Arteta, Yaya Sanogo and David Ospina all also sidelined.

Meanwhile, Koscielny's centre-back partner Per Mertesacker has revealed that he retired from international football to concentrate on winning more trophies with Arsenal.

Mertesacker was part of the Germany squad that lifted the World Cup in Brazil this summer but stepped down from the national team after the tournament.

The defender was also a key figure in the Arsenal side that won the FA Cup in May and he now says claiming trophies with the north London side is his priority.

"I reflected and last season was very tough," Mertesacker said. "This season won't be less intense so I needed a chance to rest and refuel. I want to push forward with the club now to show I can still improve.

"I realised over the last few years that the club really needs me and that was a big motivation to win something with them and then with Germany. Now I'm really focused to do even more with Arsenal.

"As vice-captain I feel more responsibility for my work here and I want to achieve more in my next three years with Arsenal. One chapter has closed and the other one has opened even more, that's how it feels for me."

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