{"id":1109770,"date":"2019-10-07T10:50:18","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T09:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1109770"},"modified":"2019-10-07T10:50:18","modified_gmt":"2019-10-07T09:50:18","slug":"laurent-koscielny-explains-arsenal-exit","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/laurent-koscielny-explains-arsenal-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Laurent Koscielny explains why he chose to ‘drop down a level’ and force Arsenal exit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Laurent Koscielny says not being able to physically cope with a full Premier League season was a key reason behind his controversial Arsenal departure.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 34-year-old French defender brought a nine-year association with the Gunners to an end this summer, but the manner of his exit infuriated some supporters.<\/p>\n

Koscielny’s time at Arsenal: Five key things to know\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Koscielny joined Arsenal from FC Lorient in July 2010.<\/li>\n
  • He would go on to make 353 appearances in all competitions, registering 27 goals.<\/li>\n
  • Koscielny, though, in the summer opted to end his time in north London for physical and family reasons.<\/li>\n
  • He refused to go on the Gunners’ pre-season tour of the United States to force a move.<\/li>\n
  • Koscielny subsequently moved to Bordeaux and has been ever-present this season.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7383312-alisson-is-the-golden-middle-of-the-goalkeeper-venn-diagram<\/p>\n

    Koscielny, who served as the north London club’s captain, refused to take part in their pre-season tour of the United States in order to facilitate a move away from north London.<\/p>\n

    He eventually got his wish by joining Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux, marking a return to his native homeland but not before coming under heavy criticism.<\/p>\n

    For some observers it was nothing short of player power abuse, but the former Les Bleus international has explained why he chose to call time on his Arsenal career.<\/p>\n