Laurent Koscielny’s shock refusal to take part in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States has seen The Gunners’ summer take another blow, having only managed to recruit one new player ahead of the new campaign.
It looks as if the Arsenal captain will be disciplined as the club released a statement outlining their disappointment over the actions of their skipper, and Daily Mirror journalist John Cross applauded the response of the club – and criticised Koscielny’s actions.
Posting his reaction to the announcement on Twitter, he wrote:
So poor from Koscielny. He’s club captain. People are naive to think he’s not had an offer before he did this. Bordeaux have offered him 2+1. He’s got one year left at Arsenal, very well paid, should respect contract and honour of being captaincy. Loyalty not an issue IMO.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) July 11, 2019
Cross hits the nail on the head with Arsenal publicly calling out their captain. Arsenal have shown in the past they will make way with captains if they deem it necessary – having dismissed William Gallas of the armband back in 2008.
And the disrespectful nature of Koscielny’s misdemeanour surely sees his days as Gunners skipper numbered with a new season on the horizon. The statement, even in its brief bluntness, puts fans in the know and shames the player.
Whether or not he turns out in an Arsenal shirt again (with or without the armband), his surprising behaviour is damaging on two fronts – in putting his own career on hold with no guarantee of a move away (and a year left on his current deal), and potentially causing disharmony amongst the squad having to make do without their so-called leader.
Cross’ mention of honouring the captaincy also brings the Frenchman’s state of mind into question – why would he not embrace such a privilege? Perhaps he is only too aware of his limitations having not long returned from a long-term injury and feels another Premier League season is not within his capabilities – but we have seen Arsenal captains play bit-parts before – Per Mertesacker’s sole start in the FA Cup final a couple of years back springing to mind.
Either way, the curtain is surely falling on Koscielny’s career and having conflicted the damage himself, he could well be on his way out of the club as Cross’ reactionary tweet seems to suggest.
