Koscielny confirms surgery was successful as Arsenal captain vows to fight through setback

Laurent Koscielny has confirmed that the operation on his injured achilles was successful and thanked fans for their kind messages of support as the Arsenal captain embarks upon a 'new step'.

Koscielny, who had already been receiving daily treatment for chronic tendonitis diagnosed in 2014, was stretchered off just 12 minutes into the Gunners' 1-0 Europa League semi-final second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium last week after losing his footing off the ball.

Early fears that the centre-back had suffered a rupture were later confirmed, with the French Football Federation announcing that he would miss the forthcoming World Cup in Russia.

Speaking at a press conference earlier on Tuesday, outgoing Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said that Koscielny would be absent for approximately six months after undergoing surgery.

'You will not see him before certainly end of December now, beginning of December at best,' he said.

Such an injury is a bitter blow for Koscielny, who had announced his intention to retire from international football after this summer's tournament.

In a statement released on social media, the 32-year-old, who earned 51 caps for France after making his senior debut in 2011, insisted he was determined to battle through this latest setback.

'I would like to thank you for all the messages received further to my injury,' he wrote on Instagram.

'The operation went well, it's a new step that begins for me ... I'm determined to fight not only for myself but also for my family, my friends and all the people who support me ... See you soon lolo.'

Koscielny, who will obviously miss Arsenal's remaining matches of the season against Leicester City and Huddersfield Town, is under contract in north London until 2020 and had made 34 appearances across all competitions in 2017-18 before injury struck.

It remains to be seen who will be occupying the dugout at the Emirates Stadium when he is available to make his return and where exactly he will place in the new manager's pecking order if defensive reinforcements are forthcoming.