World Cup 2018: 'Big blow' for France after Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny ruled out of Russia tournament

Laurent Koscielny will miss the World Cup this summer because of the suspected ruptured Achilles he suffered during Arsenal's Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid. The French Football Federation confirmed on Friday evening that the centre-back would not be able to play in Russia. "It's a very big blow for the France team," manager Didier Deschamps said on www.fff.fr. Koscielny, 32, lost his footing while moving towards Diego Costa off the ball and was in obvious distress as he clutched his lower leg. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed after the game that he feared the worst for Koscielny, who has been nursing an Achilles problem for most of the season. ______________ Read more Premier League predictions: Chelsea beat Liverpool to retain top four hopes ______________ Koscielny, who has 51 caps, had already announced he planned to retire from international football after the World Cup. Deschamps added: "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, because I'm sure he still has some great things to come." France will face Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C at the World Cup, with their first game - against the Socceroos - scheduled for June 16.

World Cup 2018: 'Big blow' for France after Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny ruled out of Russia tournament

Manager Didier Deschamps disappointed after French Football Federation confirms centre-back would not be able to play