Laurent Koscielny sends message to Arsenal fans after Bordeaux move

| 07 August 2019

Laurent Koscielny sends message to Arsenal fans after Bordeaux move

The Frenchman angered fans with his exit and Bordeaux unveiling video.

Laurent Koscielny has sent a message to disgruntled Arsenal fans following his controversial move to Bordeaux.

The 33-year-old defender signed for the French club on Tuesday having refused to travel on Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the USA as he tried to secure a transfer.

His unveiling video also angered some Gunners fans – and former striker Ian Wright – after he took off an Arsenal shirt to reveal a Bordeaux strip underneath.

Nouveau joueur, nouveau maillot, retrouvez-le dès maintenant ici ➡ https://t.co/6Jb2BRKbIo pic.twitter.com/eCfsGaSUYS

— FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) August 6, 2019

Koscielny wrote on Instagram: “After nine years spent at Arsenal, I took the decision to leave. I have spent wonderful years with this club, nine years during which I learned, evolved, grew up.

“This experience made me the player I am today. My decision to leave has been discussed for months with my club, my team-mates, my coach, and it has been a well-thought decision.

View this post on Instagram

As you know i engaged with @girondins. After 9 years spent at Arsenal, i took the decision to leave. I have spent wonderful years with this club, nine years during which i learned, evolved, grew up. This experience made me the player I am today. My decision to leave has been discussed for months with my club, my teammates, my coach, and it has been a well thought decision. I see this departure like a new turning point in my life as a player but also in in my life as a man and a family man. However I hope you understand, and in any case i cannot be thankful enough for these years past at Arsenal. I am aware of everything that the club and you supporters have brought to me. But it is time for me to go home so today my will is to join the @girondins. This is a new challenge that I count on taking with determination. Lolo

A post shared by Laurent Koscielny (@koscielny_official6) on Aug 6, 2019 at 1:43pm PDT

“I see this departure like a new turning point in my life as a player but also in in my life as a man and a family man.

“However I hope you understand, and in any case I cannot be thankful enough for these years past at Arsenal. I am aware of everything that the club and you supporters have brought to me.

“But it is time for me to go home so today my will is to join the @girondins (Bordeaux). This is a new challenge that I count on taking with determination.”

This hurts. The level of disrespect 😤😤 You should be ashamed for the way you've left the club after 9 years! Got what you wanted and still trying to have a dig 👋🏾👋🏾👋🏾 Hope it's worth it in the long run. https://t.co/7ShuTVss2u

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) August 6, 2019