Arsenal legend Ian Wright has slammed Laurent Koscielny as “mind-numbingly stupid” for getting suspended from Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The 31-year-old defender was handed a red card and subsequent three-match ban for a reckless challenge early in the first half of the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Everton.
Koscielny will be sorely missed at Wembley and club great Wright destroyed the experienced centre-back for the tackle.
He told The Sun Football Podcast, as quoted by the Sun: “I missed the Cup Winner’s Cup final through too many bookings, it wasn’t a ridiculous sending off like his.
“For the captain, it was absolutely mind-numbingly stupid. It will really hit home for him if Arsenal lose.
“The build-up is so exciting and you know you’re not going to be involved. When you win, it’s fine.
“But all the time leading up to it, you do feel like you’re letting them down. Our best defender is out of the game.”
Shkodran Mustafi is also a doubt for the cup final after he picked up a head injury in the win against Sunderland in the penultimate game of their league campaign.
The injuries and Koscielny’s suspension leaves Arsene Wenger with a defensive crisis as he prepares his team to face Premier League champions Chelsea, as Gabriel is also out through injury.
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay of the Gunners’ back line this term, and has made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals.
The 44-time France international has become a key man at the Emirates since his £10million move from Lorient in the summer of 2010, and he has played 291 league and cup games for the club.
If Wenger’s side can come out on top at Wembley, they will win their third FA Cup in four years.