Arsenal club captain Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel on the club’s pre-season tour to the United States in a bid to force his way out of the club.

The Gunners confirmed in a statement that the 33-year-old did not join up with the rest of the squad this morning as they prepared to leave from Stansted Airport to begin a three-game tour of America, comprising matches against Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Real Madrid.

“Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for our pre-season tour,” it read.

“We are very disappointed by Laurent’s actions, which are against our clear instructions.

“We hope to resolve this matter and will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

The club have opened disciplinary proceedings against Koscielny and the centre-back is set to be fined for his actions.

It is almost certain he will be stripped of the club captaincy but that decision is yet to be taken.

In Pictures | Arsenal depart for pre-season tour | 11/09/2019 21 show all In Pictures | Arsenal depart for pre-season tour | 11/09/2019 1/21 Arsenal departed from Stansted Airport for their 2019-20 preseason tour on Thursday, though captain Laurent Koscielny refused to board the plane. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 10/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 11/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 12/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 13/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 14/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 15/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 16/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 17/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 18/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 19/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 20/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 21/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/21 Arsenal departed from Stansted Airport for their 2019-20 preseason tour on Thursday, though captain Laurent Koscielny refused to board the plane. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 2/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 8/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 9/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 10/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 11/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 12/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 13/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 14/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 15/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 16/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 17/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 18/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 19/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 20/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 21/21 Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Koscielny is desperate to return to France. He asked the club to be released from his contract – which has 12 months left to run – but that request was denied, triggering his refusal to travel to America.

Bordeaux, Rennes and Lyon are all ready to offer him a way out but Standard Sport understands that, as of this morning, Arsenal were yet to receive a formal offer from any club.

The club are unwilling to allow Koscielny to leave on a free transfer and so he is believed to be considering buying out the remainder of his £90,000-a-week contract to help secure a move.

Arsenal squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 27 show all Arsenal squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers 1/27 Here is the current injuries and suspensions status of Arsenal's first-team squad... Getty Images 2/27 Bernd Leno Squad Number: 1



Condition: Knee injury (ruled out)



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Condition: Thigh injury (ruled out)



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Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/27 Here is the current injuries and suspensions status of Arsenal's first-team squad... Getty Images 2/27 Bernd Leno Squad Number: 1



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Condition: Thigh injury (ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2021 Getty Images 16/27 Calum Chambers Squad Number: 21



Condition: Knee injury (ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 17/27 Pablo Mari Squad Number: 22



Condition: Ankle injury (ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 18/27 David Luiz Squad Number: 23



Condition: Fit



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Condition: Groin injury (doubt)



Contract expires: Contracted Getty Images 20/27 Emiliano Martinez Squad Number: 26



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 21/27 Joe Willock Squad Number: 28



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: Contracted Getty Images 22/27 Eddie Nketiah Squad Number: 30



Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2022 Getty Images 23/27 Matteo Guendouzi Squad Number: 29



Condition: Fit



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Condition: Fit



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Condition: Fit



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 26/27 Gabriel Martinelli Squad Number: 35



Condition: Knee injury (ruled out)



Contract expires: 30/06/2024 REUTERS 27/27 Konstantinos Mavropanos Squad Number: 27



Condition: Fit (on loan to Nuremberg)



Contract expires: 30/06/2023 Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal had been slow to offer him an extension but it is understood the club were considering fresh terms based on how his longstanding Achilles problem developed over the coming months.

However, Bordeaux are thought to be willing to offer Koscielny a three-year deal – something that Arsenal would never match despite his nine years of service.

Koscielny moved to north London from Lorient in the summer of 2010 and has been a mainstay of the team ever since.

There are some at the club said to be shocked by Koscielny’s behaviour given the professionalism he has shown over many years in amassing 353 appearances for Arsenal. He is understood to have arrived at London Colney this morning willing to train but not board the plane departing at lunchtime for the States.

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It remains to be seen whether head coach Unai Emery attempts to keep Koscielny against his will. The club are in the market for a centre-back and are close to completing a £27million deal with Saint Etienne for William Saliba.

However, the 18-year-old would likely be loaned back to the Ligue 1 club for another season meaning he would not be available to immediately fill the void left should Koscielny depart.