Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny’s second season in English football was a big success.
The Frenchman built upon a good first year at Arsenal, emerging as one of the team’s most consistent players in 2011/12 and becoming widely regarded as a top Premier League defender.
Laurent Koscielny Profile | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 10, 1985 Tulle, France |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 6 |
| Previous Club(s) | En Avant Guingamp,Tours,Lorient |
| Arsenal Debut | August 15, 2010 |
His pace, athleticism and quick reactions were big assets to the Gunners’ back line, as was his enviable record in one-on-one duels. One of the first names on Arsène Wenger’s teamsheet when fit, he also scored the vital goal at West Bromwich Albion that sealed Arsenal’s place in the Champions League for the forthcoming campaign.
Laurent also featured twice at right back when Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson were injured, slotting in seamlessly and confirming his aptitude to face any task head-on.
He earned a deserved debut for the French national side against the United States in November 2011, and his fine club form resulted in a call-up to Laurent Blanc’s Euro 2012 squad. He was one of the side’s better performers in 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Spain.
Laurent joined Arsenal from Ligue 1 side FC Lorient in July 2010. He had spent just one season at the Stade du Moustoir, having previously represented Tours in Ligue 2. He was named in the division’s best XI for the 2008/09 season.
