Arsenal boss Unai Emery talks about Laurent Koscielny’s potential Arsenal exit
Unai Emery has revealed that he would only continue working with the players who want to be here, effectively revealing Laurent Koscielny’s future at the club. The Arsenal captain refused to travel for their preseason and has been heavily linked with a move back to France in the preceding weeks.
Laurent Koscielny’s strike has caused a few problems for the club that already lacks a proper defensive spine. The Arsenal captain and his ongoing transfer saga is possibly coming to a close if manager Unai Emery’s comments are anything to go by.
It looks like the former Sevilla and PSG boss is preparing for life without his captain, and instead focusing on the other players. "I tried to continue working and finding one solution between the club, between him and us," Emery told Arsenal's website. "When he decided not to come here with us on tour, the solution is now only for the club and him. He decided to be out.”
I respect him but I have a responsibility, he has a responsibility, and the club have their responsibility. Now it's an issue only for the club and him. My idea is to continue with the players we are working with, and the players that want to be here."
The 33-year-old has made well over 353 appearances for the club since joining them in 2010, and replacing him will not be an easy job. But Arsenal have already started the proceedings with a move for William Saliba nearing completion.