Laurent Koscielny said that the French fans will remember their victory over Romania for a long time after Dimitri Payet’s thunderbolt sealed the win for his country.

With the hosts pegged back after Olivier Giroud scored his eighth goal in eight games for his country, Kos was speaking to the media about the game.

“The first match of the competition, more so when it is the opening game is always complicated. Tonight (Friday), there was a lot of battles,” said [via Google translate]

“Romania has closed the space but I prefer to remember the victory. [It] is the most important for a good start to a competition. 

“Unconsciously, there certainly was pressure, even if most of the players of this team are playing in big clubs and play in the Champions League. 

“This is all the craze, the stadium, we have struggled to be good in this part. It was not until a response [was called for] from us to play our game. But then again, it was complicated.

“This is the group that will allow us to go far in this competition. I note that throughout the game, we never gave up. We finished the game by cannonball.

“It’s a nice goal. When it’s in your favour, it’s better. Dimitri gave the whole team and all the supporters. The spectators will remember this for a long time.

“I do not think we sin physically. It is more in the heads. Now it is the past and we have to concentrate on the next game. Anyway, we knew it would not be easy.”

Kos should certainly be used to playing under pressure featuiring, as he does, for an Arsenal side that is rarely under anything else.

The central defender, whom many think will be the next Arsenal captain enjoyed a good game and played no role in Romania’s equaliser. That honour felt solely to former United man boy Patrice Evra.