Ian Wright blasts Koscielny’s ‘baffling’ decision to refuse place on pre-season tour

Ian Wright has questioned Laurent Koscielny’s decision to refuse to go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour.

The news broke earlier this week that Koscielny, who is club captain, would not be part of Unai Emery’s squad for their United States trip as he looks to force a move away from the Emirates.

Koscielny’s Arsenal career: 5 things to know…

• Koscielny joined Arsenal in 2010 from Lorient.
• The Frenchman scored Arsenal’s equaliser in their FA Cup final victory against Hull City in 2014.
• He suffered a serious Achilles injury against Atletico Madrid at the end of 2017/2018, ruling him out for six months.
• In 2018 he was made club captain.
• He is keen to leave Arsenal this summer after receiving a number of offers from France.

Wright, who bagged 185 goals across 288 matches for Arsenal, said that he ‘loves’ Koscielny but that this is ‘a poor decision to make’.

He said: “For our captain who has been there for nearly 10 years, to get to a station where he is giving us unbelievable service.

“We’ve seen him play through the pain, build a legacy and a legendary status he deserves. ‘I have to question Laurent’s loyalty and love for the club to do this in pre-season when you are the captain with young players, a time in the season when everyone should be together.

“This is going to be a tough season for Arsenal because we are in transition and we have a lot catching up to do. For our captain to refuse to go on a pre-season tour after nine years of unbelievable service to destroy your legacy at a club that you’ve to professed to love it’s baffling.”

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Koscielny continues Arsenal battle with social media update

In what seems to be the norm in modern football, the Frenchman’s social media activity has been heavily analysed following this shock announcement. Eagle-eyed fans noticed that Koscielny has changed his Instagram; a suggestive emoji now follows ‘Arsenal’ in his bio:

Whether this emoji holds any meaning remains to be seen. Addressing Koscielny directly, Wright continued his criticism of the Frenchman.

He said: “This is something that I literally cannot get my head round. I’m so disappointed in your decision to do this. And if your agents see this, and I hope you do, shame on you for convincing him. There is no way he has come up with this on your own.

“We don’t need this right now at Arsenal, we are behind the eight ball. We don’t need our leaders coming out doing things like this. It doesn’t set a good example to the numbers.

“I love you Laurent but this is a poor decision to make.”