France head coach Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny will miss this summer's World Cup with a suspected Achilles injury.
The 32-year-old centre-back was stretchered off 12 minutes into the Gunners' Europa League semi-final second leg defeat by Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
Koscielny lost his footing off the ball and was left in pain on the ground, clutching his lower leg as Arsenal's physios made their way onto the Wanda Metropolitano pitch to tend to the player.
"It's a very big blow. Laurent is an exemplary player," Deschamps told BBC Sport.
"I am really very sad for him because this World Cup was also a very important moment for him in his career."
Koscielny, who has 51 caps, had previously announced his plans to retire from international football after the tournament in Russia.
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
