Arsenal star: Why I rejected offers from 'bigger clubs'

LAURENT KOSCIELNY has revealed why he turned down offers to leave Arsenal in the past.

 

Laurent Koscielny has rejected offers to leave Arsenal

 

The France international, who joined the Gunners in 2010 from FC Lorient, has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in recent windows.

But the 30-year-old admits he had no intention of risking first-team football, having established a strong partnership with Per Mertesacker in the heart of Arsenal's defence.

 

"There were teams interested in me but I always asked myself if it was worth taking the risk," Koscielny told French newspaper Journal du Dimanche.

"I've seen a good few players leave for a bigger club and find themselves on the substitutes' bench. At the start of my career I was often on the bench. I said to myself 'never again'.

 

Laurent Koscielny has forged a solid partnership with Per Mertesacker in Arsenal's defence

Koscielny, who has three league goals to his name this term, went on to say he has no plans to leave the north London club in the near future.

The former Guingamp and Tours defender added: "For the moment, I have no reason to go and look elsewhere. I have everything I need to develop myself."