But in the Community Shield, he was a rampaging bull pushing Arsenal forward in search of an equaliser in the second half and the big Bosnian’s endeavour and power was evident as he nodded past Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea net late on.
It was an eye-catching display by the 24-year-old at Wembley after being pressed into action when Per Mertesacker was forced off with a head injury in the first half.
Kolasinac was agressive and sharp into the attack giving the Chelsea attackers little time to settle on the ball and he was not shy to leave his defensive duties and provide support in attack.
And Wenger believes the defender’s attributes mean he is ideally suited to the Premier League.
“Physically he is very strong – naturally,” said Wenger.
“We have players who are pumped up in the gym and players who are ‘bone strong’ – he is the second part.
“Power plays a part in the Premier League but it’s not only that. I bought him for that and his attitude.
“You need a combination of talent and attitude and he looks to me like he has that and is supported by a strong body.”
After an even contest in the first half, Chelsea started the second on the front foot and went ahead when Victor Moses reacted quickest to Gary Cahill’s headed knock down and prodded the ball past Petr Cech.
But the game turned in the 80th minute when Pedro caught Mohamed Elneny on his Achilles midway in Chelsea’s half.
Pedro received help from Granit Xhaka with cramp before referee Bobby Madley sent him off to the surprise of many.
It was the second time in as many games that Chelsea had gone down to 10 men against Arsenal at Wembley and though Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said he didn’t see the incident, his frustration was evident.
“For sure there is disappointment for us to finish for the second time with ten men against Arsenal,” said Conte after the defeat.
“First in the FA Cup final, now in the Community Shield. Honestly, I didn’t see images [replays] of the tackle or the yellow card for Willian [but] a lot of people have told me that it was a penalty.
“For sure there is a bit of frustration but we have to respect the referee’s decision. Sometimes the decision make you a bit angry.”
With no extra time, what had been an entertaining curtain raiser went to penalties and on this occasion the new ABBA system was used for the first time on England soil.
Gary Cahill, Theo Walcott and Nacho Monreal all scored before Thibaut Courtois surprisingly stepped up to take Chelsea’s second penalyu of the shoot-out.
But the Belgian blazed his effort wildly over the ball and then watched as Alvaro Morata also failed to hit the target.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and finally Olivier Giroud completed a flawless shoot-out by the Gunners and ensured a positive mood in the camp ahead of their season opener against Leicester on Friday.
