Koscielny latest Arsenal injury woe

Arsenal's centre back pairing might be split up due to injury

Laurent Koscielny has picked up an issue whilst training with the French squad and should he not recover in time for Hull next weekend, Arsene Wenger will have real issues in central defence.

The international week has hardly got off the ground and Arsene Wenger must already be cursing his luck.

After Mesut Ozil was ruled out for anything up to 12 weeks on Wednesday comes the news that Laurent Koscielny has picked up an Achilles tendon problem while training with the French squad.

The centre-back could still return in time for Arsenal's game against Hull at the Emirates on October 18 but it is another problem Wenger simply did not need.

The Gunners boss is already missing a host of first-team players as he prepares to move into the hectic Premier League programme that counts down to Christmas.

Arsenal have been known to suffer the winter blues before and with Chelsea seemingly in cruise control, Wenger will be loathe to lose any more ground on Jose Mourinho's team.

There is also a Champions League double header with Anderlecht looming. Six points against the Belgians would all but seal Arsenal's place in the Last 16.

It's been a torrid few weeks for Wenger with six key members of his squad all picking up injuries.

Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud will not see action before the New Year while midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta have missed the Gunners last two games.

Ramsey has become such a pivotal figure that Wenger can scarcely afford to be without the Welshman.

A return for Koscielny will be all the more crucial given Calum Chambers' yellow card at Stamford Bridge on Sunday has earned him a suspension for the visit of Hull.

Five yellow cards in seven league appearances are a growing concern for the 19-year-old and something Wenger must address.

Arsenal will be eyeing up their next three league game and targeting the nine points that could move them into a more comfortable position that the 8th spot they currently occupy.

After playing Steve Bruce's side, the Gunners travel to Sunderland before struggling Burnley come to north London.

With two games against Anderlecht and a trip to Swansea also thrown in, Arsenal's next six games offer a real chance to put some spark and momentum into their season.

Wenger will be peering at the upcoming international games with his fingers well and truly crossed that his remaining stars come back in one piece.

There was mixed news on Thursday night as Santi Cazorla came off the bench during Spain's surprise defeat in Slovakia while Danny Welbeck was again amongst the goals as England eased past San Marino at Wembley.

There was at least some respite for Wenger with two of his long term stricken stars returning to full training on Thursday.

Theo Walcott and Serge Gnabry got a positive report from the Frenchman on the back of their first steps towards a return to action.

"Theo is not too far away now. Serge has been out for a long, long time and Theo has also been out for nine months, so it's good to see them back," Wenger said.

"They've worked very hard and they're very dedicated. They are back in the group on a daily basis and that's very good news."

With 17 games to get through between October 18th and January 1st, Arsenal will require all hands on deck.

Wenger will cut a nervous figure this weekend. After Ozil on Wednesday and Koscielny on Thursday, he'll be hoping to dispel the theory that these things come in threes.