'It's a very big blow for the team' - Arsenal star set to miss World Cup after picking up nasty injury

With the World Cup in Russia just a month away, many national team managers remain concerned on the fitness of their players, especially now that the active season is coming to an end.

Players with big roles to play in their respective national teams have to play with caution or risk getting injured.

One casualty is Arsenal and France defender Laurent Koscielny, who is set to miss the tournament in Russia due to a suspected ruptured Achilles he accrued during Arsenal’s Europa League defeat away to Atletico Madrid.

According to the French Football Federation, Koscielny will not be on the plane to Russia and coach Didier Deschamps has expressed his worries ahead of the tournament. “It's a very big blow for the France team,” said Deschamps.

He also wished the defender well saying, “I am really very sad for Laurent, because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career and I wish him a lot of strength in his comeback,” added Deschamps.

The 32-year-old lost his balance while trying to force former Chelsea striker Diego Costa off the ball and ended up clutching his leg after contact.

Koscielny has already made clear his intention to retire from the national team after this year’s World Cup will now watch from the stands.

France is in Group C and will play Australia, Peru and Denmark.