He may have ensued the wrath of his football club, but some Arsenal fans have taken the side of captain Laurent Koscielny after his refusal to join the team on their pre-season tour in the United States.
The Gunners skipper has been linked with a move to Rennes (via Yahoo Sport France reporter Manu Lonjon) in the aftermath of the announcement of his decision – which Arsenal claimed went ‘against [their] clear instructions’.
However, despite the Frenchman leaving his teammates without their captain going into their pre-season preparations, some fans took the side of the defender as his service to the club has not gone unnoticed.
As the longest-serving member of the first team, there are some supporters who feel Koscielny has been through enough as an Arsenal player to warrant his behaviour.
Koscielny joined The Gunners in 2010, and despite a long history of injuries, has maintained a starting place in the first team under Unai Emery in the Spaniard’s first season in charge.
But with the defender’s future at Arsenal in the air following the club’s statement on the issue, Koscielny would at least be departing with the blessing of a few Gunners supporters:
I don’t and can’t blame him. He’s done everything for the club . Let him go. This also tells us the mess Arsenal is in. No funds, unwilling to let aged players go. Says it all.
— Imna Longkumer (@imaningkum) July 11, 2019
Dude paid his dues… let em go… respect Cap!
— Martyno Caino (@martyno123_FPL) July 11, 2019
Damn bro..that was quick. Who can blame him? Playing next to Mustafi another season would give anyone a nightmare.
— Ram (@jsuswaram) July 11, 2019
Can’t blame him really. We’re a joke of a club and he’d still have to play with Mustafi.
— Texas Gooner (@AFCTexas) July 11, 2019
Vincent Kompany knew his finished so Man City agreed to let him go. Koscielny is doing the same thing but arsenal refusing to let go of dead wood smh why are we keeping players that are finished. Monreal,Laurent should be allowed to leave.
— ????? (@ImranR1o) July 11, 2019
Seriously, do you blame him….. the club is a joke lacks ambition.
— ???????????????????????? (@aM_tomiDe) July 11, 2019
After all these years and with service he has given us, Surely it doesn’t need to end badly just let him leave and part ways on good terms.
— El patoe (@patrickowenquig) July 11, 2019
Thank you Koscielny for all you have given #Arsenal. I for one understand you 100%. You have given a lot of your health for the club and your choice should be accepted by Arsenal & the fans! You know that the PL pace in your age with your prev injuries have had enough. Respect!
— Morgan Black (@moooztar) July 11, 2019
