Arsenal to reportedly hold on to centre-half Laurent Koscielny despite their policy of not handing long-term contracts to players over 30.
Laurent Koscielny’s current contract with Arsenal FC will expire at the end of this season. While there has been no dearth of speculation over contract extensions for players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal has been noticeably silent over their stand on star defender Laurent Koscielny. It has been a known Arsenal policy to not extend long-term contracts to players over 30 years of age. However, reports on SFR Sport suggest that Wenger might just make an exception for the French international.
Koscielny, who has been with Arsenal since 2010, had his contract extended twice during the period–in 2012 and 2014. However, there is a degree of uncertainty looming over his fate this time around because of Arsenal’s age policy. Only two years ago, they had let go of Bacary Sagna on similar grounds, after which he had joined Manchester City. However, it is rumoured that Arsenal are in talks with the French defender currently and an announcement regarding the same may be on the cards.
Wenger had recently told Arsenal.com that Koscielny is now entering the peak of his career and that he is an asset to the team. He said, ‘He guides and now he is at the age of maturity for a centre back. It is the best age, 30 to 34 maybe.’ In addition to this, everybody got a glimpse of what the team would look like without the French defender when Arsenal conceded 4 goals against Liverpool in their season opener. With Koscielny’s return, the team was able to bounce back to form against Leicester City. Thus, it is safe to assume that Wenger, who is already under attack for his choices, will not be ready to let Koscielny go just yet.
Arsenal to reportedly hold on to centre-half Laurent Koscielny despite their policy of not handing long-term contracts to players over 30.
Laurent Koscielny’s current contract with Arsenal FC will expire at the end of this season. While there has been no dearth of speculation over contract extensions for players like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal has been noticeably silent over their stand on star defender Laurent Koscielny. It has been a known Arsenal policy to not extend long-term contracts to players over 30 years of age. However, reports on SFR Sport suggest that Wenger might just make an exception for the French international.
Koscielny, who has been with Arsenal since 2010, had his contract extended twice during the period–in 2012 and 2014. However, there is a degree of uncertainty looming over his fate this time around because of Arsenal’s age policy. Only two years ago, they had let go of Bacary Sagna on similar grounds, after which he had joined Manchester City. However, it is rumoured that Arsenal are in talks with the French defender currently and an announcement regarding the same may be on the cards.
Wenger had recently told Arsenal.com that Koscielny is now entering the peak of his career and that he is an asset to the team. He said, ‘He guides and now he is at the age of maturity for a centre back. It is the best age, 30 to 34 maybe.’ In addition to this, everybody got a glimpse of what the team would look like without the French defender when Arsenal conceded 4 goals against Liverpool in their season opener. With Koscielny’s return, the team was able to bounce back to form against Leicester City. Thus, it is safe to assume that Wenger, who is already under attack for his choices, will not be ready to let Koscielny go just yet.