Arsenal: ‘Forgotten’ Laurent Koscielny whinging worrisome warning

‘Forgotten’ man Laurent Koscielny dangled a leg in his remarks on the French national team. The Arsenal defender sent a worrisome warning regarding his attitude.

‘Forgotten’ may be how Laurent Koscielny feels, but he sounds frustrated. Can you blame him? Mere months after being hamstrung, his country wins the World Cup. During his recovery, his position has been ably filled. And seeing competition for places up and down the pitch, he is bound to have asked himself, ‘Am I waltzing back into the first team?’

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I can only read the news one way: the ‘forgotten’ man dangled a leg.

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Is this really about not receiving a phone call in the build-up to the World Cup? For him to even imply the team should take a moment out of their preparations to chat is on the border of ridiculous and absurd. “Oi, mate, sorry you’re on the couch watching us win.” Koscielny is one part projecting and one part whinging. I find that worrisome. But that has nothing to do with Arsenal… right?

If only it ended there. You imagine Unai Emery, as a referee calling the match between Koscielny FC and Team Sheet United, lets the player off with a warning here. Something about how distractions are the bane of togetherness. If we have learned anything in these early days, I suspect Emery will be reaching for his pocket after reading this:

"I wanted them to qualify for the next round, and at the same time I wanted them to lose. It is a selfish side. Certain people will say: ‘How could he want France to lose?’ but that was my feeling in those particular moments."

Straight Red. Koscielny is allowed to be frustrated, yes. He is allowed to take issue with his national team. He is allowed to bemoan missing a World Cup winner’s medal because of an untimely injury. But wanting your mates to lose? Treasonous. Because you didn’t get a phone call? Marching orders. Does Emery have a choice? How does Koscielny walk back those comments?

The things people say end up saying more about themselves than anything that they were ever trying to say in the first place. When you blame others for your own personal issues you lack accountability. His whinging is telling. His willingness to create a distraction is worrisome. The statements are a warning: I want what is best for anyone who wants what is best for me.

Koscielny seems to have forgotten that he is still the club captain. He seems to have forgotten that he is still in a position of responsibility and influence. He seems to have forgotten that what he says has consequences. And that is worrying indeed.