Laurent Koscielny opens up about his future with Arsenal

The defender is likely to be out of action until the end of 2018

Laurent Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient for a reported sum of £8.45 million in 2010. He has been a mainstay in the defense since then and has made over 320 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals in all competitions.

The France International featured 25 times in the Premier League for the Gunners last season before injuring his Achilles tendon against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League back in May. He was ruled out for 6 months, until the end of 2018.

The defender who has featured for France in all major tournaments since making his debut back in 2011, was also ruled out for this year’s World Cup as his nation lifted the trophy after 20 years. But he announced his retirement from the International football.

The 32 year old will miss the start to life under Unai Emery as the Premier League giants are preparing for new life after Arsene Wenger. The Spaniard has already bolster his defense with centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos joining from Borussia Dortmund and right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner being signed from Juventus.

Koscielny believes he will play a part in this season as he is continuing his recovery to full fitness but is expecting to leave the London side when his contract expires in 2020. However, he is not sure where he will go when he will leave the club.

“I’m under contract until June 2020. Afterwards? I’m thinking of moving on, but I do not know where,” he told Nice-Matin.

“This is not relevant anyway! I am in England, my family too. Then there will inevitably be a lot of question marks.

“The bottom line is to have health. I learned to relativise because there are so many more serious things in life.”