Injury leaves Koscielny’s World Cup hopes for France in doubt

Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny leaving the field on a stretcher after injuring during the Europa League semifinal second leg between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 3, 2018. (Francisco Seco/AP)

MADRID — France defender Laurent Koscielny’s World Cup hopes were thrown in doubt when he sustained a nasty-looking injury in Arsenal’s Europa League match with Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

There was no-one near Koscielny when he collapsed to the turf clutching the back of his ankle less than 10 minutes into the game at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The Arsenal captain was clearly in pain as he thumped the ground with his hand before eventually leaving the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Calum Chambers.

Atletico was winning the second leg 1-0 at half-time thanks to a Diego Costa goal. The teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in England.

The World Cup in Russia starts next month.

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