Laurent Koscielny signs new long-term Arsenal contract

Arsenal’s French defender Laurent Koscielny has agreed a new long-term deal with the club

28-year-old Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny has penned a new long-term contract with the club. His central defence partnership with Per Mertesacker saw the club keep 15 clean sheets this season in 31 appearances.

Koscielny, who arrived from Ligue 1 side Lorient in the summer of 2010 has featured 163 times so far for the Gunners in all competition, which is more than any other Arsenal player in the same time-period.

Koscielny becomes the eight first-team member after Santi Cazorla, Serge Gnabry, Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky,Wojciech Szczesny and Gedion Zelalem to extend his contract with the club this season.

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Laurent has proven himself to be an outstanding player since joining us in 2010 and has showed his quality once again this season. I am delighted he has decided to commit his future to the Club.”

Laurent said: “I am very proud to have reached agreement with the Club on a new contract. I have enjoyed four great years at Arsenal already, and I look forward to continuing to help the team in the years to come.”

Koscielny has garnered the interest of some of the leading European clubs this season.

Good news #Arsenal fans… Laurent Koscielny has signed a new contract! http://t.co/yNX9jEorIQ What’s your reaction? pic.twitter.com/QhP7HEGMUs

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 9, 2014