Laurent Koscielny has undergone surgery on an Achilles tendon and will miss the World Cup and not return to training until December this year.
It is a major blow to Arsene Wenger’s successor at Arsenal, with the club already looking for a way to deal with the retirement of Per Mertesacker this summer and now likely to hasten their search for a new centre-back.
Wenger also revealed that he has had multiple job offers since announcing his decision to leave Arsenal at the end of the season.
“He is of course devastated – he has had surgery and will be out for six months,” said Wenger. “It is his final year where he will play for the national team and he will miss as well the World Cup.
“People with inflamed Achilles, they don’t usually rupture. The recovery will be full – the advantage of the surgery is it heals the inflammation. He will be cured.”
Wenger also confirmed the progress on talks over a new contract for Wilshere and is now confident that the England international will stay. “I am convinced his future is here,” said Wenger. “It will happen, yes.”
Wenger also said that he had received more job offers than he expected but would wait until next week before making a decision.
“I don’t analyse anything or consider anything,” he said. “I work well until the last day of my contract. For sure I will be active – my brain demands work. I have a huge experience of management, of people management but, what I will do, I don’t know. I like green grass, I like to work on it every day.”
Arsene Wenger added: “I will wait until they take the decision and support them well. If the club wants my advice I will give it to them but it is better that I didn’t come out on that.
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“The earlier the better now. People want hope and to prepare as well next year. The squad doesn’t need much – hope potential, good spirit. Two or three additions and this team will compete for the championship next year.”
