Ian Wright Disappointed By Koscielny

By Max Wise

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has been left disappointed by Laurent Koscielny’s decision not to travel with the Gunners on their pre-season tour of the United States.

Koscielny raised eyebrows last Thursday when Arsenal released a statement indicating that their captain, who is seeking a move away from the club, had refused to join his colleagues for pre-season.

Koscielny is being courted by some French clubs and Arsenal’s inability to qualify for next season’s Champions League has made the 33-year-old interested in a move away from the Emirates Stadium after nine years of invaluable service.

Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient in the summer of 2010 and has made 353 appearances for the club.

Koscielny missed a chunk of the first half of last season through a raptured Achilles injury suffered in May 2018 that saw him sit out the World Cup in Russia but he still made 29 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal after returning to action in December.

Ian Wright, who is Arsenal’s second all-time leading goalscorer behind Thierry Henry, believes Koscielny is tainting his legacy by his course of action.

Speaking on his own YouTube channel, Wright said: "He's given us unbelievable service, we've seen him play through pain and build a legacy and legendary status he deserves.

"It's the time in the season where everybody is meant to be together. We are in for a tough season, a transitional period, we need a lot of catching up.

"For our captain to refuse to go on a pre-season tour after nine years of unbelievable service, to destroy your legacy a little by refusing to play for a club is something that is baffling me.

"Why Laurent? Who are your advisers and what are they saying to you?

"I am so disappointed in your decision to do this at this time, if your agent sees this, and I hope they do, shame on you, shame on you, for doing this to him and convincing him. No way you can tell me he will come up with this on his own.

"You're the one we chose as our captain, our leader, and now we're going into pre-season with our captain refusing to go on the tour.

"This is something I cannot get my head around and I pray to God it can be resolved sooner rather than later.

"It doesn't set a good example, Arsenal need to do something quick and disciplinary. I love you Laurent but this is a poor decision."