Laurent Koscielny

A central defender who joined Arsenal from Lorient in the summer of 2010. He is a cultured player who is comfortable bringing the ball out of defence and reads the game well.

Laurent was thrust into action on the opening day of the 2010-11 season against Liverpool and settled in quickly at the club, featuring regularly in the line-up throughout the campaign. He continued to make progress in 2011-12, becoming a key figure at the back for the Gunners and rarely missing a match throughout the season.

Laurent had previously spent his entire career in France, firstly with Guingamp and then with Tours and Lorient. He won his first cap for France against the United States in November 2011 and was a member of the squad for Euro 2012, featuring in the quarter-final defeat to Spain.