Kolasinac requests Bosnia leave of absence

Given his recent return to fitness, it was something of a surprise that Bosnia and Herzegovina didn’t give Sead Kolasinac the nod for their Interlull games with Turkey and Northern Ireland.

According to homeland publication Avaz, it transpires that the left-back, who made his first Gunners appearance of the season in the 3-0 Europa League win against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, asked not to be selected so he could ease his way back to full fitness at Arsenal. The powers that be apparently had no qualms granting his wish.

Kolasinac injured his knee in our penultimate pre-season friendly against Chelsea in Dublin at the start of August and spent two months on the sidelines.

Given Nacho Monreal has had to start every game at left-back in his absence, it’s very useful that Sead has opted for a safety first policy and that his country have played ball. Well done all.

The 25-year-old will be one of 15 first team players to sit out the Interlull. That number had been higher until Bernd Leno got a late call to join Germany’s squad in place of Kevin Trapp.