Three Reasons Why This French Defender (Not Sagna) Should Leave Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny has attracted interest from money bags Paris Saint Germain, AS Monaco and European champions Bayern Munich. We give 3 reasons why moving away from Emirates is a good move for the French defender.

1. Lucrative Contract

The French defender has been Arsenal’s most consistent player this campaign and his improved performances have clearly not gone unnoticed by three of the continent’s wealthiest, and dare I say more ambitious, clubs. All three are willing to offer the centre half a far more lucrative contract than his current deal at Arsenal, reported to be in the region of £50,000-per-week. Arsene Wenger will be keen to adress the situation at the earliest, and seems prepared to offer Koscienly a much improved contract worth £90,000-per-week, a salary that Koscielny’s defensive Per Mertesacker takes home every week. Arsenal are hoping that the financial incentive will convince the 28-year old to commit his future to the North London club, but is there really more to it than just money?

2. Back To France (His Home Country)

Over the last few summers, a host of top players have headed towards the exit door at Arsenal, citing the club’s lack of ambition and ineptitude in competing for the highest honours in England and Europe alike. Yet, Koscielny’s departure could be a far more bitter blow than any of the others – especially because there seemed to be an upturn in Arsenal’s fortunes after paying off their stadium debt and looking to re-establish their credentials as one of Europe’s elite clubs. Mesut Ozil’s acquisition – a statement from intent from the club that they are ready to compete on an equal footing with Europe’s finest – could well be undone by Koscielny’s sale, particularly if he quits Arsenal for either PSG or Monaco. We’re talking about a player ditching a Premier League giant for a Ligue 1 club, but you could see where he’s coming from. France is his home, so moving to Ligue 1 club looks like a sensible option for the hard tackling defender.

3. Win Trophies

Apart from the obvious pull associated with a return to his native France, Koscielny could become an integral part of a PSG side possessing the financial muscle to ensure they are capable of mingling with the European giants. The Parisians sit pretty at the summit of the Ligue 1 table, 10 points clear off their nearest rivals AS Monaco, who too, are all set to return to Europe’s biggest competition. Something, which unfortunately, even a so-called top club like Arsenal haven’t been able to guarantee without the usual scare. Something they may very well fail to guarantee this season.

It is only a matter of time until PSG find themselves in the reckoning for the Champions League crown. And Koscielny has not shied away from letting his desire to win silverware be known.

In a recent interview, he said,

“I want to lift trophies and to have a winning record. I hope the club will give me the means. If this weren’t the case, I’d look elsewhere. I want to win titles and I hope the club have the means. I feel good at Arsenal and if the club can compete with the best, I have no reason to leave. But if it fights every year for Champions League qualification it’s hard psychologically to be under such constant pressure.”

And to assume Koscielny would show loyalty by turning down the mighty Bayern Munich would be crazy. A centre-half of Koscielny’s quality and intelligence would fit in seamlessly into the Bavarian set-up. You don’t turn down Pep Guardiola, do you?

At 28, Koscielny has a decision to make. Failure to win the FA Cup or qualify for the Champions League may make Koscielny seriously consider his future in London, but is Champions League qualification merely enough for a club of the stature of Arsenal? Koscielny’s career is in danger of stagnating at Arsenal. The offer might not come his way next summer, so this might be his last bite of the cherry. Koscielny is one of the best defenders in the world – and seems to have grown above a club who look incapable of doing anything more than their usual last-moment scrap for the final UCL berth. So much promise and optimism at the start of every season, same ‘ol Arsenal at the end.

And given Arsenal’s roller coaster form, the cup final against Hull City is by no means a foregone conclusion. Arsenal could end up with a trophy after nine years and a spot in next season’s Champions League, the other extreme could see them suffer another embarrassing Wembley moment and compete in the Europa League. Either way, Koscielny’s is a personal decision – a question of ambition, motive and desire.