Arsene Wenger says he is blown away by Laurent Koscielny for his on-going protest with the club.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he is ‘very surprised’ about Laurent Koscielny’s arrogant nature by opting not to join the pre-season camp in the United States.
The current Skipper spurned the United States tour, forcing the club to take an action against him. The French International, who was appointed as Skipper by Unai Emery in 2018, has told his club about three offers from France clubs. Should somebody match the Gunners’ evaluation, the defender will be allowed to leave the club.
Arsenal – who beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in a friendly in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening – are now said to be considering fining the defender, who will also be stripped of the club captaincy if he ends up staying in north London.
Wenger, meanwhile, signed Koscielny in a £10 million deal in 2010 and the 69-year-old insists the defender never gave him a problem during his time at Arsenal.
“I am very surprised by the current situation,” Wenger told L’Equipe.
“I do not know the whole story, but Laurent’s behaviour with me has always been beyond reproach.
“I think highly of Laurent as a man.”
Koscielny’s friend and former Arsenal teammate Olivier Giroud – another one of Wenger’s former charges – says that the truth will come out over the centre-back’s situation sooner or later.
“You cannot make a judgement when you don’t have all the clues,” he told BBC Sport.
“I’m pretty sure we don’t know everything in this situation.
“I hope both sides will find the best agreement.”
The 33-year-old has made 353 appearances over the last nine years for the Gunners. During this stint, he won three FA Cups, thereby becoming a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
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What’s next?
Should Laurent Koscielny be stripped off the captaincy, Granit Xhaka will be the next player in the queue.
