Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Happy Birthday to Laurent Koscielny and a Look at His Impact at Arsenal

By Josh Sippie

facebooktwitterreddit

Laurent Koscielny turns 30 today and that is usually a time where footballers begin their downward turn as age catches up on their bodies. The Bosscielny is not of such an opinion, however. He feels spry and like a young man hitting the prime of his career.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

“Footballer or not, after 30 is a big part of your life.For a footballer it is important as you are closer to the end of your career than you are to the start. But, I feel like a young man – I’m nearly 30 but my body is ready to play more games, just the age has changed. I try to work hard and to be ready for training and the games and when you are older you need to work harder in training before the session and after,” (via the Express)

To any Arsenal fan, this is fantastic news. The last person we want to see injured or out is Laurent Koscielny. No one will object to another 5 years with the Boss standing vigilantly on the back line.

Laurent Koscielny is one of Arsene Wenger’s best signings. For a fee of around  £8.45 million, Arsenal acquired a lowly French defender from Lorient. The Frenchman moved to the Emirates and took over the No. 6 jersey previously worn by Philippe Senderos. Big shoes to fill. Nowadays Real Madrid are knocking at the door offering over £20 million.

Laurent Koscielny wasted no time fitting in at Arsenal. The impact was seen immediately. Paired with the likes of Sebastian Squillaci, Koscielny had his work cut out for him.

Koscielny’s partnership status improved when he paired up with Thomas Vermaelen and he was given the start to the 2011 season. However, as is the case nowadays as well, injuries continued to plague the Frenchman’s ability to stay on the pitch.

The partnership began with Per Mertesacker and continued to deliver positive results. Koscielny began to assert himself as one of the best center backs in the world of football. His aggression and anticipation made him a phenomenal asset.

More from Arsenal News

Now, with the deterioration of Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny looks to establish a new partnership. This time it will be with his Brazilian doppelganger, Gabriel Paulista. The two have shown tremendous promise in making the Arsenal defense a proactive force. Though his career, Koscielny is averaging over 3 interceptions, 6 interceptions and a solid 2 tackles a game.

In the past half decade, Laurent Koscielny’s partner at Arsenal has varied from the highly qualified to the lowly Squillaci. But one thing always remains the same: Koscielny. He has been an absolute rock at the back for the Gunners, inspiring confidence and forming the mortar in the back wall. He has had to cover for the lack of pace from Mertesacker and the lack of most everything else in Squillaci.

Happy birthday, Laurent ‘Bosscielny’ Koscielny! We look forward to many more prosperous years with you at Arsenal.

Next: Should Ospina be Dealt?

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Home/Arsenal News