How It Actually Happened? The clocks were ticking down to yet another new season of English Premier League and drama was getting personified deeper and deeper. The news coming from the Arsenal base was not what the Gunners’ fans would have liked to hear, as their captain was about to leave the “fly high” Emirates this time.
The Bordeaux boss Paolo Sousa had confirmed that the Ligue 1 side was interested in Laurent Koscielny. The defender was almost certain to leave the Emirates this summer after he refused to travel to the USA for the Gunners’ pre-season tour.
The 33-year-old seemed keen to return to his native land France. It has been reported that he had agreed on personal terms with Rennes ahead of a potential switch. Though it is also the truth that he had one year left on his contract in north London and the Emirates hierarchy were holding out for a fee for the Frenchman.
As Sousa had stated that “every team” would like to sign the centre-back and he had already said that Koscielny was not their player. He also said that he (Koscielny) was a player that every team would like to have because of his experience, the quality of his play and everything that he represents in football. According to him, they were in the market for central defenders, because Jules Kounde had left and so they are looking for another player to replace him.
The Story About The Former Gunners Skipper
All talks were ongoing though the French side never declared him as their player. As the former Swansea boss said that they are working hard to give themselves the chance to have a player with his characteristics. However, Arsenal was furious with the club captain for refusing to travel and released an official statement upon their departure for the States.
They were very disappointed by Laurent’s actions and according to them, it is against their clear instructions. Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for the Gunners’ pre-season tour and they hope to resolve this matter and will not be providing any further comment at this time.
The 33-year-old defender still has a year left on his current, but with no new deal forthcoming, Koscielny is angling for a move away from the Emirates this summer to get a longer contract elsewhere. Arsenal was reported to get as much money as possible for the experienced centre-back. Though the defender believes he should be allowed to leave on a free transfer, which has caused friction in the management.
Arsenal is going through a difficult summer with money and it was getting difficult to sign a new signing (though that changed eventually). In this dilemma, Koscielny’s unexpected strop has not helped matters. As the news suggested from the deck, senior players of the squad have been shocked by their captain’s actions. They have been somewhat divided over the matter and it has destabilized the dressing room to a degree.
Gunners boss Unai Emery said of the situation that when he (Koscielny) decided not to stay with them there in the tour, now the aim of the management would be to solve the matter and head into the upcoming events.
The Eventual Result-
Eventually, Kos the boss signed for the Ligue 1 outfit and left the Londoners after 9 years of service. He was a quality defender and he will be missed by the club’s faithful. However, Arsenal did not waste time in signing David Luiz immediately and that will be a morale boost for the Gunners.
