Former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny has slammed his recent Bordeaux exile as a ‘slap in the face’ after being dropped from the squad.
The French defender has been made to train away from the first-team squad by boss Vladimir Petkovic after a horrendous first-half to the 2021/22 campaign.
Les Girondins currently sit 17th in the Ligue 1 standings and just one point above the automatic relegation places.
In an effort to reignite their season, three of the current first-team players - including Koscielny have been banished - a decision that the now 36-year-old has not taken to particularly kindly.
As quoted by French outlet L’Equipe, he said: “I'm a footballer, so my passion is primarily to play, and also to set an example for my teammates as captain.
“So, I took it very hard. Let's just say it was a right slap in the face. But I'm a fighter, I'll continue to fight and do what it takes to stay at the top level and help the squad so that the team gets the best possible results.”
Probed further about his fall-out of contention at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Koscielny suggested he has been given no reason as to why.
“No [no reason for exclusion]. None. They just told me that this was their new strategy, and that we would find a solution with the financial director that was good for everyone.” he continued.
Whilst the former Arsenal man has dropped out of first-team contention, he has also endured a similar fate to that of ex-teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having seen the captaincy stripped off of him.
Koscielny has been with Bordeaux since his 2019 departure from the Emirates. He has gone on to make 65 appearances for the club including 11 throughout the current campaign.
The 51-time French international’s contract expires this summer so it seems unlikely that he has a future with Bordeaux.
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