Laurent Koscielny: 'Squad rotation key to Arsenal title hopes'

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has put his side's impressive start to the Premier League season down to the strength of options available to boss Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners temporarily claimed top spot at the weekend after picking up a 2-1 win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Attention now turns to a League Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, but Koscielny is confident that Arsenal have the right group of players capable of maintaining a title challenge.

Speaking to the club's official website, the Frenchman said: "We know each other's qualities and we know the philosophy of the team. A season is long. We saw it last year with a few injuries, so we appreciate having everybody ready to come in.

"We benefit from the coach's rotation. Everybody brings his contribution. It's important to have that. I don't know if this is the best Arsenal team I have ever played for but collectively you can tell that we are capable to do great things together. We need to keep that team spirit and this desire and motivation.

"We like having the ball but there are times in games where we are on the back foot and that's when we need to make the efforts for the team and for our team-mates. We did it against Bayern and [against Everton] in the second half. Let's keep it this way until the end of the season."

Arsenal, who have won each of their last four league games, are currently level on points with leaders Manchester City.