Arsenal News: Unai Emery fails to convince Arsenal’s veteran defender Laurent Koscielny to join the club for the pre-season tour.
Laurent Koscielny topped the headlines after he refused to join Arsenal’s contingent for the pre-season camp. The Gunners announced his decision last week.
It is alleged that his decision came after his request to terminate his contract and find a new club was rejected, with disciplinary proceedings due as a result.
In further update, according to a report by the Give Me Sport, Unai Emery has revealed he spoke to Laurent Koscielny three times in a forlorn attempt to get his captain on the club’s pre-season tour.
The French International is not with Arsenal for their trip to USA. The Gunners won their first friendly against Colorado Rapids by 3-0, and after the game Emery was quizzed in the press conference about Koscilny’s situation and he admitted that the he made a contact with the player but failed to convince him.
“He started training with us this pre-season and I spoke with him three times for his situation,” Emery said at his post-match press conference.
“We wanted him to come with us on this tour, but he decided to stay. Now it is a matter for the club and for the player. We spoke with a good spirit for both the team and him, but this is his decision, only his decision. He’s speaking only with the club.”
“He has one year left on his contract, for me as a coach he’s an important player. Now it’s one matter for him and the club. The club and him need to speak, they are speaking about his situation.”
“I cannot say more than that. I spoke with him before he came here and he decided to stay there. Really I cannot say more about that. For me now it’s clear we need to keep moving ahead. We’re here with the players who have the spirit to create the new way.
“Laurent Koscielny for me, now, I’m waiting on his decision with the club.” he concluded.
Meanwhile, it is remained to see what lies in the future of the 33-year-old defender, as several clubs in France are posing interests for Koscielny amid the summer transfer window.
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