Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round replay against Hull City tomorrow will come too soon for Laurent Koscielny.
The France international, who has been struggling with a calf injury, will play no part against the Tigers, with the defender also expected to miss the Gunners’ Premier League meeting with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
“Laurent will be short for Hull”, Wenger told the club's official site.
“He has a chance to be available for the weekend, but I think even for then he will be short.”
Wenger then said that although Petr Cech’s scan results were better than expected, the custodian still has to be sidelined for a month.
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The 33-year-old picked up a calf injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Swansea City in the league last Wednesday.
“Petr’s scans were better than expected, but it will still be four weeks for him. So after the international break”, he continued.
Wenger went on to add that Alex Iwobi will be included in Arsenal’s squad for the Hull game, with Francis Coquelin dropping out after the Frenchman was sent off in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
“We lose Coquelin from his bad tackle on Saturday and everyone else looks available”, he added.
“I have to see how everybody has recovered today but overall we should have the same squad that went to Tottenham plus Alex Iwobi will certainly be added to the squad.”
Arsenal, who were held to a goalless draw in the original FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium last month, are gunning to win the domestic cup competition for the third straight year.
