36 Facts About Laurent Koscielny

1.

Laurent Koscielny was born on 10 September 1985 and is a French former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

2.

Laurent Koscielny had established himself as a core component in the Arsenal first team, as well as contributing with a host of individual performances, including aiding in ending the club's nine-year trophy drought, scoring a crucial equalizer en route to winning the FA Cup in 2014.

3.

Laurent Koscielny was crucial in further club successes that followed, winning another FA Cup and the FA Community Shield twice.

4.

Laurent Koscielny became a regular starter for the nation in every major tournament that they have appeared in, including UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while leading France to the final of UEFA Euro 2016, which they lost to Portugal.

5.

Laurent Koscielny scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Scotland in 2016, and amassed fifty-one appearances for the national side.

6.

Laurent Koscielny began his career at Guingamp in 2004, a team that had produced such talents as Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda.

7.

Three years later, Laurent Koscielny was forced to drop down to the French third tier.

8.

Laurent Koscielny made 47 appearances for Guingamp, between 2004 and 2007, mostly as a right fullback.

9.

In 2007, Laurent Koscielny joined Tours FC, deciding that he wanted a chance at centre back.

10.

Laurent Koscielny showed remarkable improvement in aerial ability and positional awareness that limited him to just three yellow cards.

11.

Laurent Koscielny established himself as a starter and played in his preferred centre-back position.

12.

Laurent Koscielny helped Lorient to finish the campaign in 7th place; its best finish in Ligue 1.

13.

On 6 July 2010, Laurent Koscielny agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

14.

Arsenal confirmed the signing on 7 July 2010 and Laurent Koscielny was handed the club's number 6 shirt, previously worn by Philippe Senderos, who had moved to Fulham earlier in the summer.

15.

Laurent Koscielny made his debut against Barnet in a pre-season friendly in July 2010.

16.

Laurent Koscielny was praised for performances against Sunderland and made a brilliant tackle against Tottenham Hotspur to stop Aaron Lennon from scoring during their Football League Cup tie.

17.

Laurent Koscielny had arguably his best performance to date for Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against Barcelona.

18.

Laurent Koscielny's performances were applauded and praised in many media reports of the game.

19.

On 27 February, in the last minute of the 2011 Football League Cup Final, Laurent Koscielny was involved in a mix-up with his goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, which resulted in Birmingham City striker Obafemi Martins scoring the winning goal.

20.

On 24 July 2012, Laurent Koscielny signed a new long term contract with Arsenal.

21.

On 13 March 2013, Laurent Koscielny scored against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the UEFA Champions League Last 16.

22.

Laurent Koscielny was voted as Arsenal's second best player of the season.

23.

On 9 May 2014, Laurent Koscielny signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.

24.

Laurent Koscielny started his first game of the season in a goalless draw against Leicester City.

25.

Arsenal lost an appeal and Laurent Koscielny was banned for three games, meaning he would miss the FA Cup final.

26.

On 3 May 2018, Laurent Koscielny suffered an Achilles injury during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match against Atletico Madrid, and was ruled out for at least six months.

27.

On 31 January 2022, Bordeaux officially moved him into a non-playing role for Laurent Koscielny to "contribute to the development of the club's international partnerships".

28.

On 26 March 2022, Laurent Koscielny announced his retirement from football.

29.

Laurent Koscielny was called up to the French national team on 3 February 2011.

30.

Laurent Koscielny later declared that his priority was to play for France.

31.

Laurent Koscielny was called up to the French team for the first time on 3 February 2011, for the team's friendly versus Brazil on 9 February.

32.

On 13 May 2014, Laurent Koscielny was named in Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

33.

Laurent Koscielny was named in the squad for the UEFA Euro 2016 and started in all the matches of France's runners-up campaign.

34.

Laurent Koscielny has a brother who is 10 years older than him and played in the amateur leagues and now trains at FC Argentat.

35.

Laurent Koscielny's father played in the fourth division of French football for many clubs before becoming a manager.

36.

Laurent Koscielny is married to his long time girlfriend Claire Beaudouin.