Laurent Koscielny injury: Arsenal make late change for Blackpool FA Cup clash after defender injured in warm-up

The Arsenal captain has been replaced in the starting XI by Carl Jenkinson

Saturday 05 January 2019 18:21 GMT
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Blackpool v Arsenal: FA Cup match preview

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Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of Arsenal’s FA Cup third round match against Blackpool after suffering an injury during the team’s warm-up.

The Frenchman had been named in the Arsenal starting XI for the 5.30pm kick-off and took part in the team training session ahead of kick-off.

However he quickly pulled up and gestured to Arsenal’s pitch-side physios that he had suffered an injury.

After being helped down the tunnel the club announced that he was out of the game.

He has been replaced in Arsenal’s starting XI by Carl Jenkinson. Stephan Lichtsteiner is now expected to play in the centre of defence with Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Arsenal have enjoyed less than ideal preparation for the FA Cup third round match after they were delayed leaving their hotel by a protesting Blackpool supporter. The fan climbed on top of their team bus, meaning a second bus had to be called.

To follow live coverage of the match: click here.

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