Arsenal manager Unai Emery has opened up on the club’s attempts to keep hold of Laurent Koscielny for next season.
Koscielny’s shock decision
As has been widely-covered in the media, long-time Gunners’ star Koscielny dropped a bombshell on the club last month, when the Frenchman informed Unai Emery and co. that he would not be joining his fellow teammates on their pre-season tour of the US.
An official announcement across the Gunners’ website and social media channels regarding the situation read as follows:
‘Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for our pre-season tour.’
‘We are very disappointed by Laurent’s actions, which are against our clear instructions.’
‘We hope to resolve this matter and will not be providing any further comment at this time.’
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal celebrates their win during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on March 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The reliable David Ornstein of BBC Sport subsequently provided an insight into Koscielny’s shock decision, citing Arsenal’s Europa League final defeat at the hands of Chelsea, and concern over the direction of the club as key.
The Frenchman is said to be eyeing a return to France, amid interest from the likes of Bordeaux, Rennes and Lyon.
‘Haven’t lost my hope’
And, though, further reports have since largely-agreed that Koscielny is unlikely to ever pull on an Arsenal jersey again, one individual who has not given up hope of the stopper changing his stance is Gunners’ boss Unai Emery.
When questioned on Koscielny’s place at the Emirates during a media session, Emery somewhat-surprisingly confirmed that both he and the club remain active in talks with the veteran over the possibility of staying put:
‘I fight to convince him, but I respect his decision, a very personal decision. That situation can only manage with one argument. I haven’t lost my hope that he will be with us next year.’
‘He’s a very important player for us. We are speaking with him and with the team.’
Quotes via ESPN
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