Arsenal news: Laurent Koscielny set to miss Champions League opener against PSG with eye injury

The 31-year-old defender was left with a badly swollen eye after Saturday's 2-1 win over Southampton

Koscielny clashed with Southampton's Fonte during Saturday's 2-1 win (Getty)

Laurent Koscielny is a doubt for Arsenal’s opening Champions League group stage fixture at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old defender was left with a badly swollen eye after clashing with Southampton’s Jose Fonte in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win at the Emirates.

Koscielny, who scored Arsenal’s first with an acrobatic effort in the victory, had substantial swelling around his right eye when examined by club doctors after the victory.

“He will be a little bit of a concern,” confirmed Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager. “The eye is already very swollen and it is closed up.”

With Per Mertesacker recovering from a long-term knee injury, youngster Rob Holding is expected to slot in alongside new signing Shkodran Mustafi in Arsenal’s backline.

Despite the relative experience of Mustafi and Holding’s mature displays since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in July, Koscielny will be missed.

The France international’s importance was outlined by Wenger, who hailed him as one of the leading players in his squad.

“He is one of the most experienced players we have now here,” the manager said. “He is one of the longest-serving defenders and I think he is one of our best players.

“When I think about the squad, when you choose a captain as well, you think of one with a good chance to play in every single game and that’s not easy nowadays.

“He has committed to the club for a long contract and he has always improved every year. Today he is an outstanding centre-back.”