The international break must come as something of a relief to the Arsenal squad given the torment they've endured over the last month or so.
Arsene Wenger has watched his side crash out of the Champions League round of 16 for the seventh consecutive season and surrender precious ground to rivals in the race to secure a top-four Premier League finish.
That leaves the FA Cup as the Gunners’ last remaining hope of attaining any silverware this season, and even winning that would do little to gloss over what has been another hugely disappointing campaign.
The Emirates faithful are split over whether their woes are due to problems nested in Wenger’s style of management, or whether it’s his players who are to blame.
Arsenal are some way off matching the breadth of world-class talent Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have, yet some believe one man could've made all the difference had he joined the north London club last summer.
Speaking during a France press conference on Thursday, Laurent Koscielny has claimed one of his compatriots has evolved into the best player in the Premier League: N’Golo Kante.
The energetic midfielder has been instrumental in helping Antonio Conte not merely resurrect Chelsea, but guide them to a ten-point lead over the chasing pack.
Kante has broken several tackling and interceptions records during his two seasons in the English top-flight, and Koscielny believes his unrivalled output should be matched by the recognition he receives.
"He's the best player in the league, simple," the Arsenal captain said, as per the Evening Standard.
"He has this ability to adapt. He has made tremendous progress.
"When you have a player like that in the middle [of the pitch]... He knows what he can do and not do.
"He does it admirably.”
Kante has become an indispensable member of the Chelsea squad with his ability to protect the defence and contribute to attacks in Conte’s revolutionary 3-4-3 system.
The 25-year-old may not perform the most glamorous of roles on a football pitch, but the perceived ease with which he controls the midfield battle is simply a joy to watch for any football fan.
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