Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful that France boss Didier Deschamps will rest Laurent Koscielny for next week's international friendly against the Ivory Coast.
The Gunners defender played the full 90 minutes in his nation's 2-1 victory over Sweden in Friday's World Cup qualifier.
Koscielny has been a regular in Arsenal's backline this season, partnering Shkodran Mustafi in the centre of defence, but Wenger is concerned that the 31-year-old could soon suffer from burnout.
Wenger is keen for Koscielny to be used sparingly next Tuesday due to Arsenal's upcoming fixtures against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
"I've never tried to prevent a player from international duty," Wenger told beIN Sports. "When it's a competitive game I never intervene. France plays a friendly with Ivory Coast in the second game on Tuesday night. I can't see the purpose of Koscielny playing the second game.
"I understand completely him playing against Sweden, it's difficult to understand him playing the whole game against Ivory Coast because afterwards we play at Manchester United and then Paris Saint Germain.
"If it's not needed, you try to find a compromise that suits both parties. I could ring [Deschamps], but most of the time I don't do it."
Wenger is already sweating on the fitness of Alexis Sanchez, who has remained with the Chile national team despite suffering a muscle tear in training.
Danielle Joynson
