Arsenal Transfer News: Laurent Koscielny Ruled out for Match Against Sunderland

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has been ruled out of Arsenal's English Premier League opener against Sunderland on Saturday, according to John Cross at The Daily Mirror.

Koscielny's loss at the back is quite a blow for Wenger and Arsenal, especially as they attempt to begin the 2012-13 campaign without striker Robin van Persie, who led the EPL in goals last season with 30.

Still, Van Persie did little to assist the Gunners' defense. 

A 26-year-old France native, Koscielny has been a mainstay in Arsenal's back line since 2010, playing in at least 30 EPL games in each of the past two seasons. 

In his most recent Premier League appearance, Koscielny scored a goal in a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion. There is no denying his importance to Wenger's game plan this weekend against Sunderland. 

Koscielny scored two goals and notched one assist in 33 EPL appearances last season, but more importantly, it is his defense that the Gunners will miss this weekend and perhaps beyond depending on how serious his injury is.

The team should be able to survive their opener with Sunderland without Koscielny defending at the back.

After all, Sunderland finished 13th in the EPL last season, winning just 11 of their 38 matches and scoring just 45 goals all season long. 

Although Koscielny's status is not good news for Arsenal this summer, it won't become a serious problem until the competition stiffens against Liverpool in early September. 

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