Ighalo: Koscinely is the toughest Premier League player I’ve faced

Watford’s prolific forward Odion Ighalo claims that Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny is the toughest defender he has played against this season.

The 26-year-old Nigeria international has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in the top-flight and has been a major thorn to opposing defences scoring an impressive 14 goals in 26 league matches.

Ighalo has scored against ten different Premier League opponents this season but failed to find the net against Arsenal when the Hornets were beaten 3-0 in October.

The Gunners have the second-best defensive record in the league this season and Ighalo suggested that Koscielny has been a major factor in helping them 
achieve that.

“I think I’ve faced a lot of tough defenders this season,” he told Goal.

“But I would say that against Arsenal Koscielny didn’t give me enough space to do what I want to do and that game was really difficult. I’d have to say it’s Koscielny.”

The France international has been pivotal to helping Arsenal challenge for the Premier League title this term and is undisputably his team’s first-choice in his position.

Koscielny has made more blocks (20), interceptions (85) and clearances (139) than anyone else in Arsenal’s squad this season and has also been assured in possession, finding a teammate with 86% of his efforts.

Since joining from FC Lorient in 2010, Koscielny has emerged as a real leader for Arsene Wenger’s men and has formed a good understanding with Per Mertesacker over the last few seasons.

Ighalo, who has failed to score in his last three league games, will be looking to get the better of Koscielny when the two side’s meet at the Emirates on April 2nd.