Best of Premier League’s starting XI this season

Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)

Late last week I wrote an article on why Arsene Wenger’s time is potentially up at Arsenal. If there is one man trying to save this sinking ship, it is Laurent Koscielny. Koscielny has arguably been Arsenal’s most consistent player all season and has come up big, more than once to save them from defeat.

Starting back in the early part of the season against Burnley, it was late in the game at the Emirates at in the dying seconds of the game Koscielny produced a goal to help Arsenal rescue all three points. His next goal was a controversial one against Southampton, but a goal all the same.  Not all about goalscoring, Koscielny is also a big boost for Arsenal’s defense. As a central defender, the big man’s job is to make sure the ball stays out of the net and his average of 10 clearances a game prove that. When paired with Per Mertesacker, in earlier seasons, these two combined to be one of the best central pairings in the league. As time wears on, Koscielny is still standing tall at the back.

The playing style of Koscielny compliments Arsenal very well, it allows them to move forward with confidence, knowing they are taken care of at the back. Long balls are often played through the defender to try and hit Arsenal’s fast wingers to create the counter attack.