After a slow start, Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny was one of the best players on Tuesday in the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.

Speaking about the performance of the Frenchman, manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal Player that the 26-year old is doing exceptionally well considering that he only has two seasons at the top level of the game adding that considering the short experience he possesses, he is constantly demonstrating that he will be a great central defender.

Asked about the zonal marking system rather than man-marking organisation when defending corners, the manager confirmed that the Gunners worked on a new system in training adding that it is however too early to understand if such an approach is the right one or not.

The Gunners were often criticised in recent seasons for conceding way too many goals from set-pieces with Wenger concluding by saying that great sense of individual responsibility is required in the zonal marking with the players asked to be more responsible in their duties.

On Friday, Wenger said:

[Laurent Koscielny?] What people forget is that he has two seasons at the top level, one in France, one in England.

I always thought there is massive potential in this player and the fact that he has such a short experience at the top top level makes his improvement potential as well, bigger.

That’s why he already has grown this season and I felt in the last 20 minutes he was immense [against Dortmund] and I believe he will be a very great central defender.

He keeps things simple, he’s quick, reads [the game] well and of course he was surprised like every central defender who comes to England with the intensity of the game but he has adjusted now and adapted and I think he will do very well.

[Doing something different on the defending of corners?] Yes, we have changed a little bit our system and tested at the moment, it’s too early to say that it works but the signs are positive, you know.

The authority of Wojciech is stronger, bigger as well, his presence on the crosses is a little bit better, better than last season at the end of the season, that helps as well.

It looks more rational, when you run after somebody, the players can cross each other and that can stop you from intervening and you are less subject to screening.

But it has advantages and disadvantages, you need a great sense of individual responsibility in the zonal marking and the responsibilities are clearer, initiative and responsibility is bigger.