• Premier League

Koscielny pens long-term Arsenal deal

ESPN staff
July 24, 2012
Laurent Koscielny impressed at the heart of Arsenal's defence last season © Getty Images
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France international Laurent Koscielny has pledged his future to Arsenal by signing a new long-term contract with the club, the exact length of which has not been specified.

Koscielny joined Arsenal in 2010 from Lorient - and, after an occasionally shaky first season with the club, produced a string of impressive performances at the heart of the defence in the last campaign.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "Laurent has been outstanding for us over the last two seasons.

"When you consider that until 2009 he was playing in Ligue 2 in France and that he is now performing at the very top level in the Premier League and for his country, the development that he has shown has been absolutely exceptional. Laurent is a top-class player and I am very pleased he has decided to commit his future to the club."

Koscielny has been tipped to keep Germany international Per Mertesacker, a big-money signing last summer, out of the starting XI next season, having formed an effective partnership with Thomas Vermaelen.

The 26-year-old, capped four times by France, has made 85 appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals. No player has made more starts for Arsenal in the most recent two seasons.

He was a member of France's Euro 2012 squad, and played 90 minutes in the quarter-final defeat to eventual winners Spain.

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