Arsenal star Sead Kolasinac suffers horrific ankle blow during Bosnia & Herzegovina game

Arsenal star Sead Kolasinac suffers horrific ankle blow just 36 minutes into Bosnia & Herzegovina’s clash against Finland as Jukka Raitala is shown a red card for the nasty challenge with the defender facing spell on the sidelines

  • Sead Kolasinac was caught on the ankle by Finnish defender Jukka Raitala
  • Referee Michael Oliver showed Raitala a red card for the horrific challenge
  • The Arsenal defender limped off while being supported by medical staff
  • It is unclear how serious the injury is but he could be set for the sidelines 
  • His contract expires in June and he could have played his last game for Arsenal 


Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac limped off during Bosnia & Herzegovina’s World Cup qualifier against Finland after becoming the victim of a horrific challenge.

The 28-year-old was caught by Minnesota United ace Jukka Raitala on his ankle and could be set for a spell on the sidelines.  

Kolasinac started Bosnia and Herzegovina in Saturday’s clash, which was key to their hopes of booking a place at the tournament, but only lasted 36 minutes.

Sead Kolasinac (centre) limped off during Bosnia & Herzegovina's qualifier clash with Finland

Sead Kolasinac (centre) limped off during Bosnia & Herzegovina’s qualifier clash with Finland

The defender’s ankle appeared to buckle underneath him in the tackle and he then had to be carried from the field by medical staff, with ice compressed around the potential injury. 

Raitala was shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver but it would have come as little consolation to Kolasinac, who could now face a lengthy spell in the treatment room. 

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Finland still stormed to a 3-1 victory to keep their hopes of making it to Qatar alive as they sit second being France, while Bosnia & Herzegovina are fourth in Group D.

The defender was caught by a nasty challenge from Minnesota United ace Jukka Raitala (right)

The defender was caught by a nasty challenge from Minnesota United ace Jukka Raitala (right)

Referee Michael Oliver sent the Finland defender off for the horrific first-half challenge

Referee Michael Oliver sent the Finland defender off for the horrific first-half challenge 

It is unclear how serious Kolasinac’s injury is but it has dealt him another blow in his stuttering Arsenal career. 

The left-back joined in 2017 but has struggled for minutes since the arrival of Mikel Arteta. 

Kolasinac spent last season out on loan at his former club Schalke 04 and has made just four appearances, including one league start, for the Gunners so far this term. 

His contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the season and, should his injury result in being season-ending, Kolasinac may have played his last game for the Gunners.

Kolasinac has struggled for minutes at Arsenal since the arrival of boss Mikel Arteta (left)

Kolasinac has struggled for minutes at Arsenal since the arrival of boss Mikel Arteta (left)

Kolasinac last played for Arsenal in their 2-0 win over Leicester in October as Arteta’s side continue their eight-game unbeaten league run. 

However, his absence should not be felt too much by Arteta as the Arsenal boss finds himself well stocked at left-back. 

Kiernan Tierney had been first choice for the position since his move from Celtic but the Scotland international has found himself usurped by young defender Nuno Tavares, who has impressed since arriving from Benfica in summer. 

source: dailymail.co.uk