Laurent Koscielny’s last appearance in a Europa League semi-final was a traumatic one. It was on May 3 last year that our captain crumpled in a heap at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. In that moment, Koscielny lost his chance of guiding us to a cup final or playing in France’s triumphant World Cup campaign. A long rehabilitation lay ahead. Fast forward 12 months and Koscielny was sat alongside Unai Emery at a busy press conference, relaxed and ready to make a rather happier semi-final memory. Not that the Frenchman has any regrets. On the contrary, his personal battle to return to fitness and return to our team has been an enlightening...
Full Story »