Former captain Laurent Koscielny has officially announced his retirement from football following his acrimonious departure from Bordeaux in January.
The 36-year-old made over 350 appearances for the Gunners and was the cornerstone of the club’s defence for almost a decade, playing a pivotal role in two consecutive triumphs.
A serious Achilles injury robbed Koscielny of the chance to represent France during their victorious 2018 campaign, but fought his way back to fitness to help Arsenal reach the 2019 final.
A 4-1 defeat against Chelsea in Baku turned out to be his final appearance for the north London club and he left under something of a cloud.
After nine years as an Arsenal player, Koscielny, then the club captain, refused to go on a pre-season tour of America having fallen out with Unai Emery who he believed had mishandled his workload and rehabilitation.
Koscielny subsequently moved to Bordeaux but an unhappy spell at the Ligue 1 club came to an end earlier this year when he was deemed surplus to requirements.
‘They gave me no reason for their decision,’ he told French sports daily L’Equipe earlier this year. ‘They just said it was their new strategy.
‘It’s a slap in the face. But I’m a fighter and I’ll continue to fight. In training, I’m still giving my all.’
Rather than carry on in professional football, however, Koscielny has now opted to hang up his boots having, along with Benoit Costil, been accused of ‘racist behaviour, by ultras group, UB87.
In a statement published by footmercato.net, Koscielny strongly denied those accusations.
A press release read: ‘Following the article published in the Sud Ouest newspaper on March 22, 2022, Laurent Koscielny was surprised, shocked but also saddened by the remarks made by one of the representatives of the Ultramarines 87 Group against him, which the press is now echoing.
‘Without there being any ambiguity, he strongly disputes these accusations which have seriously injured him and which necessarily have repercussions on his family and those around him.
‘As a reminder, Laurent Koscielny has not been part of the professional staff of the club since the end of January 2022, he recalls that he is still an employee of the Girondins de Bordeaux.
‘On this point, Laurent Koscielny intends to specify that he has decided to hang up his boots when he would have preferred to help the club on the ground.
‘Aware that the club was in difficulty, he accepted the proposal made to occupy a new function and to release his salary as proof of the concern he has for the best interests of the club. As such, he would like to thank the club for the mark of confidence shown in him by entrusting him with this position.’
, .
, and .
