Laurent Koscielny is a major fitness doubt for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal defender Koscielny suffered a horrific looking facial wound after a clash with Southampton defender Jose Fonte.
It left Koscielny with a badly swollen eye and Arsene Wenger admits that is a concern with rookie defender Rob Holding now on standby to face the French champions on Tuesday.
Gunners boss Wenger said: “He will be a little bit of a concern. The eye is already very swollen and it is closed up.”
Wenger also put to bed any doubt about Koscielny’s future as, despite attracting interest from Bayern Munich in the summer, the France defender has three years left on his current deal.
But Wenger also spelt out Koscielny’s importance to the team - he was captain on his 31st birthday on Saturday - which is why Arsenal need him for their toughest Champions League Group match.
Wenger added: “He has committed to the club for a long contract and he has always improved every year. Today he is an outstanding centre back.
“He is one of the most experienced players we have now. He is one of the longest serving defenders and I think he is one of our best players.
“When I think about the squad, when you choose a captain as well, you think one with a good chance to play in every single game and that’s not easy nowadays. It’s a bit easier for a defender than for a striker or a midfielder.
“He gave himself a great present, but as well he doesn’t score that when it is four-nil for you, he scores at one-nil down and that’s always a special quality.”