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Arsenal are putting up a serious title challenge this season, and while Mesut Ozil has been the standout performer week to week, it's the improved defensive record that have Arsene Wenger's men at the top of the table to begin the second half of the season.
Having Petr Cech between the sticks certainly helps, but for those who have been watching closely, Laurent Koscielny has been among the best defenders in the Premier League this season. Even if you haven't been keeping a close eye on the Frenchman, his quality was there for all to see against Newcastle this past weekend.
While the Gunners didn't put in a particularly rousing display by their standards this campaign, Koscielny was calm, composed and assured at the heart of the defense, and emulated the most opportunistic of strikers to claim the only goal of the match.
Here is an every-touch compilation video of the defender's impressive performance against the Magpies: