Laurent Koscielny
Encyclopedia
Laurent Koscielny is a French footballer who plays as a defender
for Arsenal
. He primarily plays as a centre back
but he can also play as an right back
, a position where he started his career. Koscielny is a youth product of Guingamp
. He is described as an aggressive, uncompromising and ball-playing defender. Koscielny was born in the city of Tulle
and began his football career playing for a host of amateur and youth clubs such as Brive
, Tulle Corrèze and Limoges
. In 2001, he moved to the Brittany in northwestern France
to play for professional club Guingamp
.
In 2007, Koscielny joined Tours
for an undisclosed fee to play in the third tier of the French league in 2007 and enjoyed promotion with his new side before being named in the Ligue 2
Team of the Season the following campaign. On 16 June 2009, newly promoted Ligue 1
side Lorient
signed Koscielny on a four-year contract for around €1.7 million. He quickly established himself as a starter.
His performances caught the eye of Arsenal
manager Arsène Wenger
and Arsenal confirmed the signing on 7 July 2010 and Koscielny was handed the club's number 6 shirt. Arsenal fans voted Laurent Koscielny as Arsène Wenger’s most effective signing of 2010–11 following an impressive debut campaign. Koscielny was called up to the French national team on 4 February 2011. Prior to his call up for France, Koscielny was also eligible to play for Poland
, as a result of his family roots. He is the best reader of the game in the premier league.
and Florent Malouda
. Three years, and barely forty appearances, later Koscielny was forced to take stock and drop down to the French third tier. The Frenchman made forty-six appearances for Guingamp, between 2004 and 2007, mostly as a right fullback.
In 2007, Koscielny joined Tours FC
. Koscielny decided that he wanted a chance at centre back. Koscienly showed remarkable improvement in aerial ability and a positional awareness that allowed the defender to limit himself to just three yellow cards. During the 2008–09 season, Koscielny made 34 appearances, scoring 5 goals from defence. He was named in the best XI for Ligue 2
after the 2008–09 season. Koscielny moved to Lorient FC to play in Ligue 1 for 1.7million euros.
side FC Lorient
signed Koscielny on a four-year contract for around 1.7 million euros.He established himself as a starter and played in his preferred centre-back position.Over one season at the club, he scored 3 goals in 35 appearances. On 7 March 2009 Koscielny tapped in his first Ligue 1 goal against Olympique Marseille at Stade Vélodrome in the 65th minute in a 1–1 draw.Koscielny became a fan favourite when he scored his second goal with a header deep in the injury time against Montpellier in a 2–2 draw from a cross from Monterrubio.
He scored against Bordeaux 11 minutes into the match. However, he received a red card 15 minutes later for a foul in the penalty area against Marouane Chamakh
, whom he is now teammates with. Koscielny helped Lorient to finish the campaign in 7th place; its best finish in Ligue 1. An impressive season culminated in reports from French daily Ouest-France that the defender was training with the Arsenal reserves ahead of an official announcement. On 6 July 2010, Koscielny agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Arsenal's initial offer for Koscielny was believed to be in the region of £4million, while they were then prepared to do a deal that would also involve youngster Francis Coquelin
moving on loan in the opposite direction, which Lorient rejected. During the summer transfer window of 2010 reports began to emerge in late June that a deal had been reached to bring Koscielny to English club Arsenal for a reported sum of £8.45 million.
earlier in the summer. Wenger explained he bought Koscienly due to the fact he added height to the team and Arsenal were low on centre backs. Koscielny made his debut against Barnet
in a pre-season friendly in July 2010. One month later in his competitive debut against Liverpool
at Anfield
, he was sent off in the 94th minute for a second bookable offence. Both of his yellow cards were shown beyond 90 minutes. The game ended in a 1–1 draw with both teams having debut players sent off. He scored his first goal for Arsenal on 11 September 2010, in a 4–1 win against Bolton
.
Koscielny made his debut in European competition on 15 September 2010, when he partnered Sebastien Squillaci
in a 6–0 win over SC Braga
at Emirates Stadium
. Koscielny was praised for performances against Sunderland
and made a brilliant tackle against Tottenham
to stop Aaron Lennon
from scoring during their Carling Cup tie. On 27 October he blocked a shot off the line and provided an assist to Theo Walcott
against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup, where Arsenal went on to win the match 4-0 at St James' Park
. Koscielny was given a straight red card in Arsenal's 0–1 loss at home to Newcastle United on 7 November 2010. This was his second sending off of the season.
On 4 December, Koscielny had a head to head collision with Sebastian Squillaci; he suffered concussion and had to sit out 3 weeks of football. Arsenal website confirmed Koscielny had passed fit for the Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade on 8 December 2010 making an immediate recovery and was used in the next match.
On 25 January 2011, Koscielny scored the 2nd goal in the 3–0 win over Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg win at the Emirates Stadium
. Throughout January 2011, Johan Djourou
and himself were apart of a mean defence in the Premier that did not concede a goal. On the 1st of February, he scored his third goal of the season, which proved to be the winner in a 2–1 turn around victory over Everton with a bullet header in the dying minutes of a league clash at the Emirates. Koscielny had arguably his greatest performance to date in an Arsenal-shirt against FC Barcelona
in the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League-match. The match ended in a 2–1 home win for Arsenal. Koscielny's performances were applauded and praised in many media reports of the game. Arsenal-legend and former defender, Martin Keown
, said his performance was "impressive" and "magnificent throughout". Sadly, Laurent was involved in the crucial goal for Birmingham City
in the Carling Cup Final
where there was a catastrophic mix-up between himself and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny
. Arsenal lost the match 2–1 and their 'trophyless' drought stretched on.
Koscielny started the 2011–12 season very well with recently-fit defender Thomas Vermaelen beside him. He was injured and taken off the pitch after barely 10 minutes into the game in a 2–0 home loss to Liverpool
. However, he returned in arguably Arsenal's worst match in the Premier League, losing 8–2 to Manchester United
. On 17 September, Koscielny scored an own goal as Arsenal lost 4–3 to Blackburn Rovers in the Barclays Premier League. But to Koscielny's credit, himself and Per Mertesacker
have built a solid foundation for Arsenal's much criticised defence. He went on to pick up a man of the match display away at Marseille
, where Arsenal won 1–0 at the Stade Vélodrome
, keeping their first clean sheet in a UEFA Champions League away game since 18 August 2009 against Celtic, where the Gunners had won 2–0.
On 29 October, Koscielny received praise for his solid performance in Arsenal's 5–3 away win over Chelsea
.
and initially considered applying for Polish citizenship. In August 2010, it was reported that he had not submitted an application and cancelled a meeting with Poland natiional team coach Franciszek Smuda
in Warsaw on August 7. Koscielny later declared that his priority was to play for France.
Koscielny was called up to the French team for the first time on on 3 February 2011, for the team's friendly versus Brazil on 9 February. He was called up to the team once more on 25 August. Koscielny earned his first appearance for the team in a friendly match against the United States on November 11. He played the entire match in a 1-0 win.
Defender
Defender usually refers to a position in association football .Defender or The Defender may also refer to:-Film and television:* The Defender or The Bodyguard from Beijing, a film starring Jet Li...
for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He primarily plays as a centre back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
but he can also play as an right back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, a position where he started his career. Koscielny is a youth product of Guingamp
En Avant Guingamp
En Avant de Guingamp is a French association football club based in the commune of Guingamp. The club was founded in 1912 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football, having won promotion from the Championnat National following the 2010–11 season. Guingamp plays its home...
. He is described as an aggressive, uncompromising and ball-playing defender. Koscielny was born in the city of Tulle
Tulle
Tulle is a commune and capital of the Corrèze department in the Limousin region in central France. It is also the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulle...
and began his football career playing for a host of amateur and youth clubs such as Brive
ESA Brive
L'Etoile Sportive Aiglons Briviste-la-Gaillarde commonly known as ESA Brive is a French football club based in Brive-la-Gaillarde, who currently play in the Championnat de France Amateurs 2 Group F.-History:...
, Tulle Corrèze and Limoges
Limoges FC
Limoges Football Club, founded in 1947, are a French association football team based in Limoges, France, who are currently playing in the sixth tier of the French football league system...
. In 2001, he moved to the Brittany in northwestern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to play for professional club Guingamp
En Avant Guingamp
En Avant de Guingamp is a French association football club based in the commune of Guingamp. The club was founded in 1912 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football, having won promotion from the Championnat National following the 2010–11 season. Guingamp plays its home...
.
In 2007, Koscielny joined Tours
Tours FC
Tours Football Club is a French association football club based in Tours, the capital city of the Indre-et-Loire department. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Tours plays its home matches at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher located within...
for an undisclosed fee to play in the third tier of the French league in 2007 and enjoyed promotion with his new side before being named in the Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
Team of the Season the following campaign. On 16 June 2009, newly promoted Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
side Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
signed Koscielny on a four-year contract for around €1.7 million. He quickly established himself as a starter.
His performances caught the eye of Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
manager Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
and Arsenal confirmed the signing on 7 July 2010 and Koscielny was handed the club's number 6 shirt. Arsenal fans voted Laurent Koscielny as Arsène Wenger’s most effective signing of 2010–11 following an impressive debut campaign. Koscielny was called up to the French national team on 4 February 2011. Prior to his call up for France, Koscielny was also eligible to play for Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, as a result of his family roots. He is the best reader of the game in the premier league.
Early career
Born in Tulle, the third largest town in the Limousin region of France, Koscielny’s career began in 2004 with Guingamp, a team that have produced such talents as Didier DrogbaDidier Drogba
Didier Yves Drogba Tébily is an Ivorian footballer who plays in the centre forward position. He currently plays for Chelsea in the Premier League, where he is deputy vice-captain, and is the captain and all-time top scorer of the Côte d'Ivoire national football team...
and Florent Malouda
Florent Malouda
Florent Johan Malouda is a French footballer who plays as a left winger for Chelsea and the French national team.-Châteauroux:A street footballer in his teen years, Malouda gradually developed into an interesting, new football talent, able to penetrate defenses with his technical skills and...
. Three years, and barely forty appearances, later Koscielny was forced to take stock and drop down to the French third tier. The Frenchman made forty-six appearances for Guingamp, between 2004 and 2007, mostly as a right fullback.
In 2007, Koscielny joined Tours FC
Tours FC
Tours Football Club is a French association football club based in Tours, the capital city of the Indre-et-Loire department. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Tours plays its home matches at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher located within...
. Koscielny decided that he wanted a chance at centre back. Koscienly showed remarkable improvement in aerial ability and a positional awareness that allowed the defender to limit himself to just three yellow cards. During the 2008–09 season, Koscielny made 34 appearances, scoring 5 goals from defence. He was named in the best XI for Ligue 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
after the 2008–09 season. Koscielny moved to Lorient FC to play in Ligue 1 for 1.7million euros.
Lorient
On 16 June 2009,newly promoted Ligue 1Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
side FC Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
signed Koscielny on a four-year contract for around 1.7 million euros.He established himself as a starter and played in his preferred centre-back position.Over one season at the club, he scored 3 goals in 35 appearances. On 7 March 2009 Koscielny tapped in his first Ligue 1 goal against Olympique Marseille at Stade Vélodrome in the 65th minute in a 1–1 draw.Koscielny became a fan favourite when he scored his second goal with a header deep in the injury time against Montpellier in a 2–2 draw from a cross from Monterrubio.
He scored against Bordeaux 11 minutes into the match. However, he received a red card 15 minutes later for a foul in the penalty area against Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh is a French-Moroccan footballer who plays for English club Arsenal in the Premier League and the Moroccan national team as a striker. He is described as a prototypical target man and is noted for his "tall stature" and "excellent heading ability".Chamakh started his career...
, whom he is now teammates with. Koscielny helped Lorient to finish the campaign in 7th place; its best finish in Ligue 1. An impressive season culminated in reports from French daily Ouest-France that the defender was training with the Arsenal reserves ahead of an official announcement. On 6 July 2010, Koscielny agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Arsenal's initial offer for Koscielny was believed to be in the region of £4million, while they were then prepared to do a deal that would also involve youngster Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin is a French football player who currently plays for English club Arsenal. He plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also be utilized at right midfield or at right back...
moving on loan in the opposite direction, which Lorient rejected. During the summer transfer window of 2010 reports began to emerge in late June that a deal had been reached to bring Koscielny to English club Arsenal for a reported sum of £8.45 million.
Arsenal
Arsenal confirmed the signing on 7 July 2010 and Koscielny was handed the club's No. 6 shirt, previously worn by Phillipe Senderos, who moved to FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
earlier in the summer. Wenger explained he bought Koscienly due to the fact he added height to the team and Arsenal were low on centre backs. Koscielny made his debut against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
in a pre-season friendly in July 2010. One month later in his competitive debut against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
, he was sent off in the 94th minute for a second bookable offence. Both of his yellow cards were shown beyond 90 minutes. The game ended in a 1–1 draw with both teams having debut players sent off. He scored his first goal for Arsenal on 11 September 2010, in a 4–1 win against Bolton
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
Koscielny made his debut in European competition on 15 September 2010, when he partnered Sebastien Squillaci
Sébastien Squillaci
Sébastien Squillaci is a French international footballer who plays for Arsenal. He plays as a central defender and is described as a player who "reads the game well" and is "strong in the air and on the ground"...
in a 6–0 win over SC Braga
SC Braga
Sporting Clube de Braga , commonly known as Sporting de Braga or just Braga, is a Portuguese sports club, from the city of Braga. Its football team plays at the AXA Stadium, also known as The Quarry, which was built for UEFA Euro 2004...
at Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
. Koscielny was praised for performances against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and made a brilliant tackle against Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
to stop Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon
Aaron Justin Lennon is an English footballer who plays as a right winger for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and the England national team.-Early life:...
from scoring during their Carling Cup tie. On 27 October he blocked a shot off the line and provided an assist to Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott
Theo James Walcott is an English footballer of Jamaican descent who plays for Arsenal and the England national team. Walcott is a product of the Southampton F.C. Academy. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the right wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed...
against Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carling Cup, where Arsenal went on to win the match 4-0 at St James' Park
St James' Park
St James' Park, known for sponsorship reasons as the Sports Direct Arena, is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club and is the sixth largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of between 52,387 and 52,409.St James'...
. Koscielny was given a straight red card in Arsenal's 0–1 loss at home to Newcastle United on 7 November 2010. This was his second sending off of the season.
On 4 December, Koscielny had a head to head collision with Sebastian Squillaci; he suffered concussion and had to sit out 3 weeks of football. Arsenal website confirmed Koscielny had passed fit for the Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade on 8 December 2010 making an immediate recovery and was used in the next match.
On 25 January 2011, Koscielny scored the 2nd goal in the 3–0 win over Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg win at the Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
. Throughout January 2011, Johan Djourou
Johan Djourou
Johan Danon Djourou-Gbadjere , more commonly known as Johan Djourou, is an Ivorian-born Swiss international footballer who plays for Arsenal. He used to play as a defensive midfielder in his youth for former club Etoile Carouge, but on his arrival at Arsenal was converted to a central defender...
and himself were apart of a mean defence in the Premier that did not concede a goal. On the 1st of February, he scored his third goal of the season, which proved to be the winner in a 2–1 turn around victory over Everton with a bullet header in the dying minutes of a league clash at the Emirates. Koscielny had arguably his greatest performance to date in an Arsenal-shirt against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League-match. The match ended in a 2–1 home win for Arsenal. Koscielny's performances were applauded and praised in many media reports of the game. Arsenal-legend and former defender, Martin Keown
Martin Keown
Martin Raymond Keown is a former English footballer. Widely regarded as one of the best man-markers of his generation, Keown played for six different football clubs during his career but it was with Arsenal that he will be best remembered. Keown made over three hundred appearances for Arsenal...
, said his performance was "impressive" and "magnificent throughout". Sadly, Laurent was involved in the crucial goal for Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in the Carling Cup Final
2011 Football League Cup Final
The 2011 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Football League Cup, the 51st season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and the Football League. The match was contested by Arsenal and Birmingham City, at Wembley Stadium in...
where there was a catastrophic mix-up between himself and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny
Wojciech Szczęsny
Wojciech Tomasz Szczęsny is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal and the Poland national football team. He is the son of former Polish goalkeeper Maciej Szczęsny....
. Arsenal lost the match 2–1 and their 'trophyless' drought stretched on.
Koscielny started the 2011–12 season very well with recently-fit defender Thomas Vermaelen beside him. He was injured and taken off the pitch after barely 10 minutes into the game in a 2–0 home loss to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. However, he returned in arguably Arsenal's worst match in the Premier League, losing 8–2 to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. On 17 September, Koscielny scored an own goal as Arsenal lost 4–3 to Blackburn Rovers in the Barclays Premier League. But to Koscielny's credit, himself and Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker is a German footballer who plays as a defender for Arsenal and Germany. Mertesacker is a youth product of Hannover 96 and he made his senior league debut in November 2003. Mertesacker was soon dubbed "the Defence Pole" by German tabloids and gained a reputation for his good...
have built a solid foundation for Arsenal's much criticised defence. He went on to pick up a man of the match display away at Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, where Arsenal won 1–0 at the Stade Vélodrome
Stade Vélodrome
The Stade Vélodrome is a football stadium in Marseille, France. It is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club of Ligue 1, and was a venue in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. It is the largest club-football ground in France, with a capacity of 60,031 spectators,...
, keeping their first clean sheet in a UEFA Champions League away game since 18 August 2009 against Celtic, where the Gunners had won 2–0.
On 29 October, Koscielny received praise for his solid performance in Arsenal's 5–3 away win over Chelsea
Chelsea
Chelsea may refer to:* Chelsea , a carbonated, low-alcohol beverage* Chelsea boots* Chelsea bun, a cake* Chelsea chic-United Kingdom:* Chelsea, London** Chelsea tube station, a proposed railway station...
.
International career
Koscielny was called up to the French national team on 3 February 2011. Before his call up for France, Koscielny was also eligible to play for PolandPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
and initially considered applying for Polish citizenship. In August 2010, it was reported that he had not submitted an application and cancelled a meeting with Poland natiional team coach Franciszek Smuda
Franciszek Smuda
Franciszek Smuda is a Polish football manager and former player. Who played in Poland, the United States, and Germany. In 1983 he turned to coaching, becoming the manager of Widzew Łódź, Wisła Kraków, Legia Warsaw and Lech Poznań, among others. He has won three Polish league titles...
in Warsaw on August 7. Koscielny later declared that his priority was to play for France.
Koscielny was called up to the French team for the first time on on 3 February 2011, for the team's friendly versus Brazil on 9 February. He was called up to the team once more on 25 August. Koscielny earned his first appearance for the team in a friendly match against the United States on November 11. He played the entire match in a 1-0 win.
Club
Statistics accurate as of 23 November 2011| Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Guingamp En Avant Guingamp En Avant de Guingamp is a French association football club based in the commune of Guingamp. The club was founded in 1912 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football, having won promotion from the Championnat National following the 2010–11 season. Guingamp plays its home... |
2004–05 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005–06 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 41 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tours Tours FC Tours Football Club is a French association football club based in Tours, the capital city of the Indre-et-Loire department. The club was formed in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Tours plays its home matches at the Stade de la Vallée du Cher located within... |
2007–08 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008–09 Ligue 2 2008-09 The Ligue 2 season 2008/2009 was the sixty-seventh edition since its establishment, and began on August 1, 2008 and ended on May 29, 2009. The fixtures were announced on May 23, 2008.-Promotion and relegation:Teams relegated to Ligue 2... |
34 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 67 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 7 | 0 | |
| Lorient FC Lorient Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian... |
2009–10 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 35 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 4 | 0 | |
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2010–11 2010–11 in English football The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May... |
30 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 | 1 |
| 2011–12 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 41 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 3 | 1 | |
| Career total | 184 | 9 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 222 | 14 | 1 | |
International
Statistics accurate as of 11 November 2011| National team | Club | Year | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France France national football team The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe... |
Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||