Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has highlighted defender Laurent Koscielny as a perfect example of what the club can do for unknown players.
The Frenchman had only been in the French first divison for one season with FC Lorient before Arsene Wenger signed him for The Gunners back in 2010, but since his arrival, he has now turned into one of the best Premier League defenders and has even been wanted by Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.
Eyebrows were raised when Wenger signed the unknown defender back in the summer of 2010, but a few years later, the Frenchman believes he is the perfect example of what the club can do for unknown stars.
“He’s a footballer of course,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “That’s what our fans understand as well.
“He’s just another example of the trust we have in players when we bring them in. It was not a spectacular signing at the start but who would deny it today?
“That’s why I’m absolutely sometimes surprised, with all the examples of players that have come here unknown and become great players, that the demand is just on getting big names. It’s important, big names, but there’s as well room for good players.”
How Wenger could do with a signing this summer after a few months of inactivity, but the Arsenal manager has once again reiterated his desire to strengthen the team before the deadline shuts in September.
“Things will happen. I am not anxious about the situation,” he said, adding that Arsenal’s results in Europe are cause for optimism.
“We lost against Bayern last year on [away goals] and they won the European Cup. We won at Bayern 2-0. We won at Fenerbahce 3-0. You can analyse all the results in the Champions League and you don’t see that often. I think it’s time we realised that.
“Of course we’re all sorry for what happened on Saturday [against Aston Villa] but [it’s important] we all get behind the team and we show what has always been the strength at this Club – to be together, support the team and [appreciate] the players we have and not always dream of players who are outside everywhere.
“We have fantastic players and it’s time we understand that.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
