Laurent Koscielny has admitted he’s thinking about moving on from Arsenal in 2020, when his contract expires, but his main concern for now is getting fit and healthy.
Speaking in the French media to Nice-Matin, Koscielny revealed his thinking when he comes to the next few years at Arsenal and beyond.
“I’m under contract until June 2020. Afterwards? I’m thinking of moving on, but I do not know where,” he told Nice-Matin. “This is not relevant anyway! I am in England, my family too. Then there will inevitably be a lot of question marks.
“The bottom line is to have health. I learned to relativise because there are so many more serious things in life.”
Koscielny is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s most important defenders in recent years, if not the most important. It’s therefore disappointing to hear he’ll only be around for a couple more years in North London.
At the same time, his injury concerns are growing with each passing season, and he’s 32 years old already. By September 2020 he’ll be 35, and perhaps not in the right condition to complete a full season at Arsenal anyway.
Also, the positives of knowing in advance that a player plans to leave is that you can plan for it. The Arsenal transfer team have two years to find someone of genuine top quality to replace the Frenchman in defence, which should hopefully make it an easier task.
For now, we wish Koscielny a speedy and complete recovery from his latest injury. Hopefully he comes back ready to help Arsenal fight for Champions League qualification and a trophy or two.