Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his desire to see Laurent Koscielny rested by France for Tuesday's friendly against Ivory Coast with a view to having him fresh for Gunners games against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain before the end of the month.
Speaking to French media on Friday before France played Sweden in a World Cup qualifier, of which Koscielny played the full 90 minutes, Wenger commented that he would never ask such a thing for a competitive game but explained that it is different where friendlies are concerned.
Wenger on Koscielny: "It's difficult to understand him playing the whole game against Ivory Coast. Afterwards we play Man United and PSG." pic.twitter.com/Kwi1JhxN9D
"I've never tried to prevent a player from international duty; when it's a competitive game I never intervene," Wenger said tobeIN Sports.
"When it's a friendly game (I would). For example now Koscielny goes to the French national team, having played every single game apart from the first game of the season with us.
"I understand completely him playing against Sweden, it's difficult to understand him playing the whole game against Ivory Coast because afterwards we play at Manchester United and then Paris Saint Germain.
"If it's not needed, you try to find a compromise that suits both parties. I can't see the purpose of Koscielny playing the second game."
Arsenal must travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United within four days of that friendly, kicking off early on Saturday afternoon. Having lost there last season and seeing their recent momentum grind to a halt after the 1-1 north London derby draw, it's important that the Gunners have all their key players fresh and ready.
After Old Trafford, PSG will arrive at the Emirates Stadium four days later in the Champions League. It is the game that will likely decide which team tops the group and is placed among the top seeds for the first knockout round draw.
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