SM
Man Utd vs. PAOK: 3 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Unai Emery: 'Laurent Koscielny still an important player for Arsenal'

:Headline: Unai Emery: 'Laurent Koscielny still an important player for Arsenal': ID:365131: from db_amp
The France international has one year left on his contract with the Gunners.

Arsenal head coach 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 Gunners announced last week that the former France international had refused to fly to the United States and PA understands his decision came after his request to have his contract terminated and find a new club was rejected, with disciplinary proceedings due as a result.

Without Koscielny, a young Arsenal side eased to a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids in their first game of pre-season as new signing Gabriel Martinelli impressed, scoring the third goal after Bukayo Saka and James Olayinka had put the visitors in charge.

After the game, Emery was quizzed on the situation regarding Koscielny and the Spaniard admitted he had spoken to the 33-year-old defender on numerous occasions but had been unable to convince him to travel.

“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.

“He started training with us this pre-season and I spoke with him three times for his situation.”
-

“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.”

It remains to be seen if Koscielny has a future at the Emirates Stadium following his decision and he continues to be linked with a return to France.

He could yet buy out the remainder of his deal to allow him to move for free, but Emery insists he remains an “important” part of his squad at this stage.

Unai Emery would not be drawn on what was next for Koscielny and Arsenal. (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“He has one year left on his contract,” Emery added.

“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.

Koscielny captained Arsenal in their Europa League final defeat to Chelsea last season. (Adam Davy/PA)

“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.”

amp_article__365131 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-07-16 08:22:07:
html db last update - 2019-07-16 08:22:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Laurent Koscielny

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .