Arsenal transfer news: Unai Emery wants Laurent Koscielny to stay put

Amid a breakdown in relations, the 33-year-old is expected to call time on his nine-year career in north London, with him focused on returning home to France

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has said he is fighting to keep captain Laurent Koscielny at the Emirates beyond this summer.

The French defender fell out with the club after his request to leave for another side was rejected.

He later refused to travel with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States.

Amid this breakdown in relations, the 33-year-old is expected to call time on his nine-year career in north London, with him focused on returning home to France.

But Emery admitted he is working to keep hold of the experienced centre-back as Arsenal look to sure up their backline.

After Arsenal’s pre-season friendly draw against French side Angers, Emery said: “Koscielny is a very important player for us and I don’t lose hope for him to be with us next season.

“I am speaking regularly with him and I am trying to convince him to stay with us.

“But at the moment his first idea is still to leave and this situation is making us change our ideas about the centre-backs.”

Despite wanting Koscielny to stay, Emery insists Arsenal are keeping their options open and will look for a new centre-back if he does end up leaving.

“It makes a big difference to us if Laurent plays or not,” the Arsenal manager added. “The transfer window closes in eight days and we need to speak about what we do now.

“We want to be strong in the defensive line and we are thinking about how we can replace him.

“If we can sign one more centre-back it will only be if he is clearly better than the six we already have.”