Koscielny looking forward to facing RVP

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny insists that he is eager to face former teammate Robin Van Persie when Manchester United travel to the Emirates for their Premier League clash against the Gunners.

Van Persie joined United in the summer last year after spending six years at Arsenal, and is expected to lead the attack for the league leaders. And Koscielny is ready to lock horns with the Dutchman. Speaking to reporters, he said:

“I hope we can keep Robin quiet. He is a good player. I enjoyed my time playing with him, but I hope we keep the story with us. It will be a hard game for the whole team, but we are at home and we will try to get the three points. It will be a good game against a big team.”

The French international has been lining up alongside Per Mertesacker in the heart of Arsenal’s defence in recent weeks and has forged a great partnership with Per that has forced club captain Thomas Vermaelen to sit out on the bench. Speaking about his partnership with the German international, Koscielny said:

“We play well together as a pair. We communicate on the pitch well. His experience is vital and it helps us work together on the pitch, so we try and talk to each other a lot and it is important at the back to have an understanding.

“Per is a very good player. He reads the ball well. He is clever, attacks the ball and wins headers whereas I can go behind and be quick and cope with the long balls. He is good technically so he is good for the defence. Per is calm on the pitch.

“He is good for me, he uses his experience, this helps me, and he helps the team.”