Arsenal’s Spanish manager, Unai Emery has admitted Laurent Koscielny may be offloaded amidst the brouhaha that surrounds his absence from the club.
The French international refused to travel with the team to the United States of America for pre season games as he wants to force a move away from the English club.
The 33-year-old is reported to be wanted by Bordeaux who is willing to pay a fee of around ten million pounds.
The departure of the Frenchman will give more opportunities to Rob Holding and to the major extent, the academy lads as they fight for a place in the first team.
Speaking ahead of the Gunners’ International Champions Cup game against Fiorentina, Unai Emery admits the club’s captain could be offloaded.
“Last year (Granit) Xhaka, Mesut (Ozil) and Nacho (Monreal) were working as captains.
“But after Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech left – and possibly Laurent Koscielny – I will want more.
“An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values.
“We lost some players with big experience and a long time in England and Arsenal like Cech and Ramsey.
“We lost Koscielny too. They started one-day being captain when they were young.”
Holding was impressing at the heart of the Arsenal defence last season – only to suffer a serious injury against Manchester United in December.
He has not played since but appears to be closing in on a return and Emery said: “We are really happy with his (Holding’s) progress.
“We need his performances as a centre back. [Before] he had his injury, he was really playing with big performances.”
According to reports, the North London based club has reached an agreement with Saint-Etienne for centre-back, William Saliba.
The 18-year-old, however, will be loaned back to the Ligue Un club for the 2019-2020 season.
