Arsene Wenger says finding, fielding and facilitating the development of players like Laurent Koscielny still gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling.
In a world where splashing cash on established stars is deemed more headline worthy than successfully panning for gold, the boss spoke with pride at the way his centre-back has become a pillar of strength at Arsenal after a comparatively low-key arrival.
Koscielny, affectionately known as ‘Dave’ on the terraces, made his 200th appearance for the Gunners in the last outing at Hull City (the fifth most of the current squad); a very decent return on the £10 million investment we paid to Lorient five years ago.
“He had a lack of experience when he came here,” Wenger told the official matchday programme ahead of Swansea’s visit to the Emirates.
“When I watched him, I saw the potential but he had a lack of experience, and with that he had a bit of a lack of confidence as well.
“Now he’s getting stature. He has pace, technique, understanding of the game and intelligence, as well as the needed confidence to play.
“He has developed and has gone through some difficult periods. That’s part of the development.
“Because he started late in his career, he had to gain that experience of being responsible.
“It’s really satisfying to see him fulfil his potential because he’s a player I bought from Lorient. When you listen to people, you always get names that everybody knows.
“Sometimes it’s rewarding to find people who have the quality to play for our club but are not necessarily the names that everybody else is after.
“He really has the level and it’s important as well that these players get the chance to play for us.
“When you make a successful buy you are always happy, because you think you have done something well for the club and that’s what you want to do.”
Koscielny, who’ll turn 30 a month into next season, committed his long-term future to the Gunners a year ago. Assuming his ankle tendinitis doesn’t cause him further discomfort it means he should be around to marshall the backline (alongside messrs Mertesacker and Gabriel) for years to come. Which is nice.
As Wenger explained this weekend, adding to the defence isn’t his priority this summer. That being said there have been reports in Scotland that 18-year-old Dundee United defender/midfielder, John Souttar, has been scouted recently.
I hadn’t heard of most of his signings before they came (Pires, Lauren, Llungberg, etc), hence the advice to avoid transfer speculation.
We don’t know who will come, can’t influence it and probably won’t have heard of the player.
Take a break over the summer! Come back and see what has happened in late July.
“I hadn’t heard of most of his signings before they came (Pires, Lauren, Llungberg, etc), hence the advice to avoid transfer speculation.” You won’t find me disagreeing about taking a breather over the summer, or that AW’s got an eye for talent, but Pires won the World Cup in ’98, Lauren had a lower profile but was familiar to people in England who watched La Liga on TV and Ljungberg scored a great goal that beat England in a qualifier and marked the beginning of the end of Glenn Hoddle. AW’s also pretty good at signing well-known players when few… Read more »
Shit, Ljungberg played against England but never scored, I’ve spent 17 years of my life inventing a goal (a run in-behind the defence onto a lofted through-ball, finished with a first-time lob) that never even happened. What is real? Who am I?
Sounds like his first goal for Arsenal against the dirty red mancs. Scored on his debut I believe
Oh yes, that was it. Cheers!
Wow!! °-0
You found the goal with just that tiny description?!?!
You are, like, a magician!!!
that red spiky hair!
That seems to be describe Bergkamp’s goal against England at Wembley as well.
Great advice! Good luck implementing it however 🙂
What happens if I don’t take your advice, CB?
I and many others quite enjoy transfer speculation. Are you telling us we shouldn’t enjoy ourselves?
Ok, dad.
Crack on please, have your fun!
I’ll be out in the sun, son.
Adding to the list one mr.nacho monreal
Btw, has Kos got a song yet?
“He wants his own song, he wants his own soooooooong. Laurent Koscielny! He wants his own sooong!”
Kinda wish that one would have stuck.
I think i’ve heard it a few times at the emirates this season actually haha seems to come from the clock end
Love me some Bosscielny. Excellent under-the-radar signing!
Kos the Boss! Those consecutive end of season goals to put Arsenal in the Champions League (qualifier at least!) were each worth his signing fee.
Who are the four players ahead of him in games? My gut told me Walcott, Szczesny, Rosicky and Wilshere, not necesseraly in that order.
Nope, Walcott, Rosicky, Ramsey (of course!) and Flamini, who I think is a bit of a dark horse in the race, seeing as he’s here for his second spell, I did not think about that.
Wenger is so good at unearthing gems that I for one would be disappointed if we don’t sign anyone I haven’t heard of this summer. It just makes the start of the season that bit more interesting when there’s a player in the squad who is a completely unknown quantity. That said, I would also be disappointing if we don’t sign anyone I have heard of, as there is no financial reason not to sign someone very good with high level experience. And I feel that to keep up at the top of the premier league you really need to… Read more »
*than We all do
I dunno. Lots of people read this. Maybe one of them is a brilliant judge of player ability and world class tactician who just lacks the people skills to make it in football management. 😉
Sounds like Wenger is talking up Kos as potentially next season’s CB leader, which would mean it’s not a question of who plays with Per, but who plays with Kos.
Also sounds like a subtle way of warming people to the idea of Gabriel being a potential CB starter with Kos next season, seeing as he found Gabriel in the exact same mould.
I’m happy either way.
You’ve mentioned Kos has the 5th most appearances. Who are the other four before him
As things stand…
1st – Walcott
2nd – Rosicky
3rd – Flamini
4th – Ramsey
5th – Koscielny
I must admit, i am quite surprised flamini is in the mix and number 3 on this list……didnt realise he has put in so much appearance for Arsenal. i guess i overlooked the fact that he is on his second spell with us.
Well, for me, any player that has put in that much appearance for a club merits the respect of the fans…..and from now, he has certainly got mine!
It is only bosses like Arsene Wenger who are willing to give multiple chances to develop players. That is why we have all the great legends over the recent years (under Wenger). Not saying that Kos is not great, but remember he lost us the League cup a few years ago while we were desperate for a trophy? You need to get the balance right, it seems that having some established players with a few ‘unearthed’ gems is the correct way to go. Players like Alexis and Ozil can really bring out the best from other players.
Seaman also lost us a cup. The chance Henry didn’t put away in the champs league final also cost us a cup……maybe someone needs to let some things go!
“he lost us the League cup a few years ago”
What a weird way to describe a usual Szczęsny-fuckup.
Kos didn’t lose us the cup. I firmly believe it was entirely Szczesny’s mistake. Kos clearly stopped going for the ball, which would likely only happen if the keeper calls for it. And once the keeper calls for it, it is their responsibility to get it.
Let’s pretend schneinderlin is unknown .
Morgan who?
Everybody knows who Morgan Freeman is.
Would add a lot of experience to the group.
Whats his age??
18? 19?
That tricky winger from Dubai, you mean?
How tall is he?
Kos the boss..think the first game I realized he was brilliant was when he kept messi quiet at the Emirates when we beat barca..what is the story behind him being called Dave though?
Not sure on the origin of the story, but I know his team mates call him Dave.
I fort he friends called him, the white pele
I was under the impression they called him Lolo. At least from what i’ve seen in interviews and videos.
I’m pretty sure it’s that boring lot that calls azpilicueta Dave… Even though his first name is Cesar. Classless cuntskis are normally illiterate, I assume.
I av not seeing a player Wenger bought with £25m and the player flopped. Manure has falcao, cheski had Torres, pool has Baloteli, city has mangala even spuds has soldado…. I always trust Wenger’s judgement when he want to spend big. can’t still believe Ozil and Sanchez are happy gunners….. by the way who is faster than Bellerin in the league presently please?
Some might disagree but I see Arshavin as a pretty expensive flop. We’ve had our bad signings too.
Yeah, but at the time we were all super-excited. Not everything turns out splendidly. And anyway as memories go his four against Liverpool aren’t ever going to be forgotten. Let alone his 2-1 goal against Barcelona.
Also note that it wasn’t that long ago that Mesut Ozil was regarded by a sizeable majority as being a ‘pretty expensive flop’.
I hope it was more a vocal minority rather than sizeable majority, but if it were so I hope said sizeable majority are having a good period of insight and hindsight.
But I’ll not hold my breath.
put Arshavin at today’s team and he would either drop off the first season or he would figure out what his priority was. I still believe its a huge shame Arshavin could not flourish for a few more seasons at Arsenal. What a waste of talent.
Not buying any very expensive flops isn’t saying that much considering our third most expensive signing ever is Calum Chambers. I’m very glad Ozil and Sanchez turned out great, but 2/2 isn’t really a record to boast about yet. , although still a lot better than what some other teams have in terms of 25+ million signings. Beyond those two Wenger’s only buy that was seriously expensive compared to what other clubs were paying for players at the time was probably Wiltord. He played a bit before my time, but I gather he was an important squad player but rarely… Read more »
Not John Soutar! As a Scottiah Dundee United fan I have divided loyalties that have never been tested. We always seem to lose our best players to bigger teams and it’s not fair.
Ryan Gauld still a fresh wound?
Remember that goal where he headed one in and ran around with his thumb in his mouth? or that one where he belted one in the net against citeh off another corner?
ace lad!
Wenger please go and check our feeder teams (barca and Madrid) if there is another player you can nick in the bud again or check on Bayern. Cos we don’t buy scrap again
I can see him dipping into one of these two teams again this year, Barcelona are probably the least likely as their transfer ban means nobody new is coming in which will force out players (although Pedro is the only real name they would realistically part with and I’m not all too keen on him as an option). Real Madrid will be selling a few of their stars this year and there is one player who I think ticks Wenger’s boxes. Very skillful and very versatile in midfield, he’s also only 22 years old and has mostly been frozen out… Read more »
For a start, stop reading the rumour columns. Secondly, I haven’t the foggiest idea who you’re hinting at. It can’t be Isco because he’s 23, and made more appearances than James (partly due to injuries, but Isco has hardly been ‘frozen out’). Jese is 22 but a forward, not a midfielder. Silva just joined. Illarra is 25, and probably the most likely to leave. No fucking clue, in short. Who cares anyway, leave the speculation. I’d take a Gabriel-esque signing any day, rather than a Galactico just because.
Actually, Khedira is the most likely to leave. His contract expires at the end of this season, and he’s barely played a minute. He could be that competition for Coquelin everyone is dying for. Expect his defensive stats are not particularly impressive, certainly not better than Arteta’s, and he’s even more injury prone than Mikel.
If it is Isco you’re talking about I agree 100%. So much quality but I think it’s since Modric has come back into the team that he hasn’t gotten as much of a look in.
I think he came out and denied he would leave recently but if there was an chance of getting him, I’d like to see a bid. Could see him as a long term replacement for Santi in the centre but he is versatile enough to play in lots of attacking positions.
Who is that man? Name?
I can honestly say that despite all the tabloid/ Sky sports/ Talkshite squawking, that i would be content if we didn’t buy anyone in the summer on the condition that we don’t lose any integral members of the squad. With a long break for most of the players and a full pre-season, this current squad is good enough to challenge for the league next year. Plus with Gnabry, and the loanees to come back as well as youngsters like Zalelem, Akpom and Bielik, we are very competitive in all areas. Save the money, lower season tickets and lets fuck shit… Read more »
I think you’re missing the point that Chelsea will be spending at least £100m to improve their squad, United are throwing some £150m into new players and Manchester City desperately need younger legs and will also throw money at the situation.
This current squad had it been consistent all year, may have been good enough for the title this year, but teams around us will be getting stronger next year.
United spent around that figure last summer. Liverpool also spunked a similar amount, I’m sure they will add numbers but that doesnt necessarily equate to strengthening. with us, i feel like for the first time in years there is not a position on the pitch that is screaming for an addition. I’m happy with the keeper situation, i’m happy with the CB competition and i think it would be wholly unfair if the coq was pulled out! The dynamic and team spirit seems to be amazing and i wouldnt want a frivolous signing to mess with that. Obviously if someone… Read more »
I think this is the first summer where we don’t have to buy anyone, although I would be slightly disappointed if we didn’t. I agree with you in that we have a great group of players who, if they stay fit, will mostly likely challenge for the title next year however I do believe the squad is ever so slightly lacking in certain areas. Coquelin definitely merits his place next year and in my opinion he has managed to cement himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. Last summer everyone was crying out for a Schniederlin-type… Read more »
Well said that Gooner spot On!
Should have been in the team of the year.
Walcott is faster than Bellerin. Why is this even a debate. on the track. he might pip Wally but on the pitch where it matters i haven’t seen anyone come close to Walcott. Fucking roadrunner this one!
You’re kidding, right? Bellerin uses his speed in intercepting and destroying players who come down his side of the pitch. He also blitzed the hell out of Newcastle with one run earlier in the season, not to mention his speed also adding to his It’s not a debate, Bellerin is faster than Walcott. As for where it matters, I have seen Bellerin use his speed far more influentially than Walcott ever does. Walcott gets the ball, switches on the afterburners and then either runs into a player, runs the ball off the pitch or a 1 in 3rd chance of… Read more »
+ also adding to his skill.
Bossienly the skinny bully
Le Prof with his economics degree loves a bargain even if it meant a little bit of work initially.
He is finding the competition a little tough because others to an extent have widened their scouting network. Also, the blood sucking agents use Wenger interest and his record of spotting talent to sell their clients to the money merchants. The Mata deal was a good example of that.
Looking forward to an early finish to our transfer business this window.
Would rather known world class talent over unkown quantities. 2 positions this summer please. ST & CDM, We need a different kind to Giroud for some games because we look so much worse with Welbeck & awful with Sanogoal. One injury away to being stuck with a static Arteta & an ineffective Flamini.
Chris Samba still would’ve been better…
Nothing wrong with underdog signings. Having said that, we need one or two top quality players to win the league next season. Thierry Henry is right that we need players to form the spine of the team. Surely a top class keeper (Cech is ideal) and holding mid and/or striker will improve the squad. All top class. No gambles.
stop being pessimistic mate
I don’t think you could realistically win the league with 11 underdogs these days (although to suggest any of our title winning teams were just underdogs would be doing them a massive disservice), but it is a real pleasure to see the likes of Bossielny and Giroud make late flourishes to the top in their careers. Of course, the boost of mixing undoubted world class stars in there (Ozil, Sanchez) really does make a difference. That being said, I’m proud of the fact that we include a mix and that Arsene continues to spot a bargain where one is available,… Read more »
Wont mind Javi Martinez from Bayern if he can prove his fitnes. Gives us a different kind of shield to Coq but a solid distributor and can play CB.
Those are the kind of signings we need. Martinez and Benzema and i will start dreaming of the champions league.
Depends what he means by ‘underdog’ these days. We need quality over quantity this summer. However we do not need to spend big on already established names who will also incur cost to wage structure. Someone like Dybala is an exciting up and coming player who can inject a bit more craftiness to our approach play and also function as a quasi-striker. If/should Walcott decide not to sign (as likely since he is dragging out contract at the moment fishing for an offer in the summer), then Dybala can add a different capability to the plentiful pace we already have… Read more »