Former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has finally spoken out about why he left Arsenal
Family, physicality and mental wellbeing are among the reasons the French defender has given for why he demanded a summer move to Bordeaux.
The 34-year-old has admitted he could not do another long Premier League season and was wary of getting injured. A return to France basically became a necessity.
Speaking to L’Equipe as cited by the Daily Star, Koscielny said
“A Premier League season is very long. It requires a lot physically and mentally. I didn’t feel I could play 40-50 matches and I didn’t want to end my career with injuries. I’ve gone down a level, but to take more pleasure,” he told the French publication.
“Either I finished there or changed clubs. With my family, we felt it was time.
“Everything was in my thinking: football, my physical state, my wife, my children, the daily life we could have.
“I can only say that I left with my head held high. All of those I worked with for nine years… everyone respected my decision to return home with my family.”
Fair enough, you cannot blame a man that knows his physical limitations and wants what is best for his family but what he has not addressed was how he forced a transfer.
Going on strike, refusing to travel with the team to the USA and disrespecting the Arsenal shirt is what the fans have an issue with, not his reasons.
Koscielny response is simply not good enough, he knows what he did wrong and he should man up and admit it and apologise.