Many would be surprised to realise that it has been five years since a shy and modest Laurent Koscielny arrived at the Emirates Stadium from an impressive Lorient side, which at the time had finished seventh in Ligue 1 following promotion to the top division only the year before.
But despite having only played 35 games in the top division in France, the then 24-year-old Koscielny looked to quickly settle in at his new club alongside a plethora of fellow nationals that openly welcomed him to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
I was a bit excited and a bit apprehensive as well. I was coming from Lorient, a small Ligue 1 club. I had only played 35 games in the top flight in France.
It was massive for me to come here at 24. I had never seen a training ground like this one or a stadium like the Emirates either. I was so happy.
Five years later and the 23-time capped French international has proven himself to be not only an outstanding leader as part of a solid partnership with German Per Mertesacker but also has proved to be a vital goalscoring relief with his head as he has so far managed 13 goals in 157 since joining – including the equalising goal in the eventual 3-2 comeback victory against Hull City in the 2013-14 FA Cup final.
But having now reached the sombre age of 30, Koscielny cannot believe how quickly his first five years at the club have already passed.
It all went very quickly. I really feel it this year. I have just turned 30 and you realise at this age that you are closer to the end of your career than the beginning. children will soon be five and three. It’s the same for all the players. Seasons go quickly – everything goes quickly. We do enjoy it but you go from one season to another before you know it.
Koscielny’s debut for the Gunners is one that many players could only dream of as he was selected to start against Liverpool at Anfield – although it may not be one of his happier memories as an Arsenal player when he looks back on his career.
I don’t think about it too much but I remember it well. Playing your first match with Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield is pretty special. We got a draw right at the end in added time. And then I got sent off on my debut. that match, I only had two red cards in my whole career! I thought I got a bit unlucky on my second yellow, though.
After only having one year of top division football under his belt following his move from Lorient, Koscielny has never looked out of his depth at the heart of the defence and his determination to flourish in an intense and ferocious Premier League, whilst also making his UEFA Champions League debut for the club have drawn vast improvements out of the French international.
His prominence at the back did not go unnoticed by his national manager and Koscielny was awarded his first senior call-up in February 2011 to play in a friendly against Brazil.
Before this, the Frenchman had considered playing for Poland due to being eligible, however, cancelled a meeting with the Poland national team coach Franciszek Smuda after it was made aware that France were interested in selecting him.
And the decision to commit himself to his birth nation was wholly justified as he has now become a regular under French coach Didier Deschamps, starting Tuesday nights’ 2-0 defeat to England, despite competition from some of the finest young centre-backs in the game including Raphael Varane, Kurt Zouma, Aymeric Laporte, Mamadou Sakho and Eliaquim Mangala.
And Koscielny has only Wenger and the coaching staff to thank for improving him as a player.
I have improved in every department: physically, in the challenges, in my mental approach and technically too.
I was never stressed before a game but now I have so much more experience, I know exactly how to prepare for every game. I obviously know the Premier League so much better too. I’ve worked very hard since coming here to be where I am now.
My progression has been constant thanks to working hard. Every year, I feel I have improved. I want to keep getting better and better though, so I’m working even harder now than when I joined the club.
