This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal's 33-year-old French captain, has sparked controversy by refusing to join the team's pre-season tour to the United States, as announced by the Premier League club on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
According to British media, Ligue 1 clubs Girondins Bordeaux and Olympique Lyonnais have expressed interest in signing Koscielny, who has one year left on his contract with Arsenal.
‘Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the U.S. for our pre-season tour,’ Arsenal stated in a statement. ‘We are very disappointed by Laurent’s actions, which are against our clear instructions. We hope to resolve this matter and will not be providing any further comment at this time.’
Koscielny, who joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2010, has made over 350 appearances for the London club and is set to play for the team in the International Champions Cup against Colorado Rapids, Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, and Real Madrid.
