Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that the Gunners may have to do without Laurent Koscielny and Granit Xhaka for the midweek European clash against Napoli at the Emirates Stadium.
The duo have missed the last two league games for the north London side and the most recent of those witnessed the Gunners suffer a disappointing 1-0 loss at the hands of Everton on the road.
Speaking after that game, Emery said that he is unsure regarding the fitness of Koscielny (foot injury) and Xhaka (groin) and the pair remain potential doubts for the forthcoming Europa League tie against Napoli.
“I don’t know. Maybe Laurent could’ve come back to play today but yesterday we knew it wasn’t possible. I want to be positive for Thursday but it depends how he’s progressing. Xhaka is the same. They are doubts for Thursday,” he was quoted as saying by Arsenal.com.
Koscielny has been pretty much a regular under Emery since his return from a serious Achilles problem last month, and his absence can be regarded as a notable blow, given his strong aerial interception attributes within the box.
On the contrary, Xhaka has been one of the Gunners’ most-improved players since the turn of the year and his absence was sorely missed during the recent Everton trip where the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny struggled to gain any command in the game.
Arsenal are scheduled to entertain Napoli in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, and Emery may have to stick with the same defensive combination from the recent trip to Goodison Park.
However, there could be potential changes in the centre of the park with Aaron Ramsey returning to the lineup while he could be accompanied by Lucas Torreira, who has barely featured of late due to a domestic suspension, which has now expired.
