Laurent Koscielny out versus Swansea; long-term status unclear

Arsenal, looking to rebound following the super-close, hard-fought match at Stamford Bridge, will be without the services of Laurent Koscielny tomorrow when they host Swansea City in league play.   Koscielny's spot will be replaced in the by Hector Bellerin, who's made exactly one appearance in all competitions for Arsenal this season following a loan spell at Watford.  Thomas Vermaelen appears healthy enough to start tomorrow, which shouldn't compromise our defensive structure nearly as much compared to losing Per Mertesacker.

With the news of Koscielny's potentially lengthy spell away from the club due to injury, he now follows previous injuries to the above-mentioned Vermaelen, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini, Mr. Glass, some dude from Sweden that we apparently got on loan from a club in Russia, Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.  I should note that doesn't include little knocks other players got during matches, of course.  This isn't to make any excuses of Arsenal's performance of late, but to note that Arsenal have had very little time in being able to play their preferred starting XI on a consistent basis.

We covered Bellerin's return from loan last month.  pdb signed off his post with "No offense, but I hope Arsenal don't need you just yet."  Well, pdb, it only took the club five weeks before needing him.

Ahem.

I'll sign off with a fun, old commercial, since we desperately need something to lighten the mood 'round these parts.