10 Most Underrated Footballers In The World Right Now

By Matt Smith /

9. Laurent Koscielny - Arsenal

I watched Laurent Koscielny live this season as Arsenal won 1-0 against Newcastle United at St James' Park. Despite Aleksandar Mitrovic's sudden red card the game was fairly dull and my attention turned to the Frenchman's elegant defensive display for the remainder for the match. Simply put, Koscielny is world class. The centre back glides across the turf like a Flymo lawn mower and is the focal point of the Gunners' impressive defence. The 30-year-old is competent in the air, a strong tackler and refreshingly calm in possession but it's his defensive side-kick Per Mertesacker that seems to receive the majority of praise. This is a borderline criminal offence and needs to be swiftly changed for the good of the football nation.