It looks as though Laurent Koscielny’s phone may have had a couple of texts from Arsene Wenger when he returned from international duty…

Following a frank interview undertaken in Brazil, which was massively skewed by headline writers across Europe, the centre-back has stressed that he’s certainly not looking for a move away from Arsenal and even gone so far as to praise the club’s financial policy even though he believes the squad needs strengthening.

Here’s the important bit of a lengthy interview carried by lepopulaire.fr this weekend:

Q: Let’s talk about Arsenal, sometimes people say your club lacks ambition, is that something you feel as a player?

LK: Not necessarily. Instead, we’re very ambitious, we always play all games to win.

You can’t always though…

Well that’s because other clubs have more strength.

This is the rub right? You seem yourself to regret this?

I never said that. I feel very well at Arsenal. I am aware it’s a great club and I have a four-year contract. I know there’s talk about me and Barcelona and Bayern, but people make their own conclusions. [possibly down to his agent?]

The facts are simple: I have a contract at a club where I am happy. Full stop. We all know how situations change in football but I repeat that I’m not one to make castles in the sky. I live in the moment, I seek nothing but to play the best I can.

In my mind my goal is to win trophies with Arsenal with whom I’m about to start pre-season training. I’ve no ulterior motives. I’m at a healthy club, which plays beautiful football, doesn’t lose money every year, sticks to its own budget and plays in the Champions League. Not many players can say the same.

Arseblog News suggests that draws as definitive a line under things as is possible.

For those who like a bit of background, Laurent also answered questions on his favourite football, what it’s like playing Messi, which opponent he hates playing against the most and how he never really believed he’d make it to the top level. Check it out here.

____

Cheers to @SiuFay for the link and to @sebdutrieu for clarification on the translation.