Laurent Koscielny admits other clubs have shown an interest in signing him, however, the defender has made clear he has no intention of leaving Arsenal.
The France international, a stalwart of the Gunners defence since joining the club from Lorient five years ago, was linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona before penning a new long-term deal in May 2014.
Stressing his main focus has always been on playing regular football, Koscielny told Journal du Dimanche that he has everything he needs at the Emirates to develop as a player.
“For the moment, I have no reason to go and look elsewhere. I have everything I need to develop myself. There were teams interested in me but I always asked myself if it was worth taking the risk.
“I’ve seen a good few players leave for a bigger club and find themselves on the substitutes’ bench. At the start of my career I was often on the bench. I hated it. I said to myself ‘never again’.
“I made risky choices: leaving Guingamp [2004-2007] for Tours in National [2007-2009], I did not know where I was going but I knew I had the qualities to play in Ligue 1.”
The centre-back, 30, also spoke about Arsenal’s position in the European pecking order having again qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
He believes injuries have held back the club: “We must become more consistent and grow the squad. Too many players are lost [through injury] during the season.
“It’s tough when you can’t count on four or five guys for six months. It’s like that every year, I do not know where it comes from. This prevents us to move a step to reach the top five teams [in Europe].”
Koscielny also touched on the title race: “The title is not a given, but I’d rather be in this position than chasing the others. There are four months left to play so it will be complicated.
“The Premier League is becoming more of a level playing field. Average teams can recruit very good players [due to TV money] which until now had only joined the top five teams.
“But after 10 years without a trophy, the FA Cup wins have done us good. For the past three years, we’ve kept our spine. We know each other better so that allows us to win matches that we would have lost before.”
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French speakers (or anyone with Google Translate) can read Koscielny’s full interview – in which he discusses his personal relationship with President Hollande, the state of the accordion factory he saved and the Benzema/Valbuena case, here.
Ain’t no body, like Koscielny.
What a player he has been for us! The name Bosscielny says it all. Another gem Arsene and the boys uncovered. Hope Elneny turns out to be another.
Translation: ”If Bellerin took my place, I’d be off quicker than an egg mayonnaise sandwich. 😉
P.s. ”I think Arsenal is a small club”.
Yeah that “bigger club” comment was annoying. He needs to just get his head down and focus on not slipping up as he is still prone to doing. He’s not in the top 10 centre backs in the world in all honesty.
I’d guess he’s talking about TV, Song and the 2-faced Spaniard.
Unfortunately they did go to a bigger team… even if they aren’t at one now…
I thumbed you down accidentally due to my own thumbs. Sorry ?
Go on then Ed, name 10 better CB’s than our Kos
I can only think of 3:
Chris Samba
Phil Jagielka
Pascal Cygan
Since you add Cygan, can I add egg head Silvestre?
I think your comment will be a record breaker.
No idea what you said, I’m sure it was well written and articulate though.
Troll
If you’re going to paraphrase at least make sure what you’re saying has a degree of semblance to the original comment. You’d make a fine journalist for Fox News mind you.
He said Bigger, not better ! AH !
Btw, for sure some have never seen Ramos or Pepe play for their clubs… Varane is the only one that could match Kos’ talent (then Hummels and Boateng).
And we have no reason not to love you!
Kos the Boss!
can someone translate the whole ‘ting!’?
Google est votre ami!
Kos is the Boss!
He is one of the unsung heroes as far as the English media is concerned. They still probably rate Terry to be a top defender, so that says it all!
Yet another great example of not needing to sign a household name. Love him or hate him, the boss generally knows how to find a diamond in the rough.
Like the BFG, I get the feeling that Koscielny gets what it means to play for this club. One of the best centre halves around, and he’s ours!
Great commitment from a great player. And why would he ever want to move! There’s something special about this squad, you can feel it. The players, the staff there giving it everything they have got and u can feel how bad they want this title this year. So us fans do our job and get behind this team 100%. Even if you feel some players are not performing how u feel they should or if there’s something you are not happy about, put it to one side and let’s bring that mother f**king crown back to north London!
Such an understated and underrated player. He always seems to conduct himself in the best possible way. He is a good example to other players that if you work hard at improving where you are week you can become one of the best in the game. People always cry out for stellar signings but Wenger is one of the best in the business at spotting talent and giving it a chance to flourish. Kos is yet another shining example of that. Elneny is one of those signings that could follow suit which is why I am just as excited about… Read more »
I love Koscileny’s technique. But a very much overlooked thing (thing?) is his tendency to get us a goal (scrappy as they come) when we need it most. I see him popping with one of those in an EPL title decider tie. Or against Barca at camp nou in the 93rd to knock em out of UCL.
“There were teams interested in me but I always asked myself if it was worth taking the risk……..I’ve seen a good few players leave for a bigger club….”
So we’re you’re safe bet?! Hmmmmm
His name is Laurent, Laurent Koscielny
He pockets Ronaldo and Messi
His name is Laurent. Laurent Kosicelny
Music and passion was always in fashion at the copa…
He is the boss (NA NA).
i’m so sorry
Though he’s hit 30 Kos looks like he’s probably got atleast five good years in him before the inevitable age factor starts to show.
It takes alot of calm to not want to knock out a guy like Costa (at least from my perspective) if I was Kos in that game but all kudos to him.
Not taking anything away from Gabriel I love his passion, just hope he’s busy learning english as quickly as possible.
Kos is a great defender; still prone to playing the odd blunder but i’m always nervy when he’s not in the squad. Hope he’s at Arsenal for a long time to come, model professional. Loving the school disco haircut too!
Interesting interview. He’s a more complex guy than he appears from the post-game & promotional stuff you see. I hope he doesn’t feel the need to leave Arsenal anytime soon.