Laurent Koscielny has rubbished rumours that he’ll retire from playing club football soon and insists he want to stay at Arsenal for years to come.

Kos announced his retirement from international football after next year’s World Cup earlier in November, leading some to speculate that this could mean he’s preparing to hang up his boots for Arsenal as well. However, the centre-back insists this isn’t the case.

“I don’t think about if I will stop in one year or two years,” he said. “I know I need to play like this for the end of my career but I want to play more and more years for Arsenal.

“I manage myself and do everything with my physio, with everyone who can help me, to lower the pain on my Achilles.”

The 32-year-old, who the Gunners signed from Lorient in 2010, has seemed off the pace for about a season-and-a-half. While he’s had the odd fantastic game and is generally solid, it’s clear that something is preventing him from reaching the level he was at from around 2012-2015.

koscielny burnley
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal wears the Stonewall Rainbow Laces Campaign captains armband during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 26, 2017 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

This could be age. However, it seems far more likely, given his comments, that this has something to do with his reoccurring Achilles problem, which the Frenchman admits he has to receive daily treatment for.

By giving up international football, perhaps Kos will have more time to rest and recover his Achilles while everyone else is ‘enjoying’ the interlull.

Kos’ current deal with Arsenal expires in 2020 and his comments do make it sound as if he would like to stay past that. However, it’s hard to judge. A lot probably depends on how fit he manages to stay over the next couple of years. Fingers crossed his problems begin to improve.