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What Arsenal plan to do with Laurent Koscielny as Unai Emery battles to land new defender
ARSENAL have decided to isolate Laurent Koscielny from the first-team after the defender went on strike to force a transfer away from the club.
Arsenal: Koscielny set ‘poor' example says Darren Bent
Koscielny has got one year left on his £100,000-a-week deal with Arsenal and although the veteran defender was seeking a new contract, the two parties could not reach an agreement.
Following the breakdown in talks the player surprised the club when he refused to travel with the Gunners on their pre-season tour of the United States.
Arsenal declared they were “disappointed” by the decision of their club captain, who has been at the club since 2010, and have already begun disciplinary proceedings against Koscielny - the club are expected to fine him for missing the trip.
However, they have also frozen out the player, as according to the Mirror, Koscielny will be forced to train with Arsenal’s youth team when the players return from their American tour.
My idea is continuing with the players we are working with and the players that want to be here
It is understood that Bordeaux, Lyon and Rennes are all interested in signing Koscielny, who is reportedly valued by the Gunners at around £10million.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is looking to strengthen several areas of his squad this summer and was keen to improve his defence even before the incident with Koscielny occurred, however, the Spaniard is adamant there is no coming back for the player now.
Emery made it clear he is only interested in working with players who were on the US tour.
“When he decided not to stay with us here in the tour, the solution now is only for the club and him because he decided to be out of the team in pre-season,” Emery said.
“Now it is one issue only for the club and for him.
“My idea is continuing with the players we are working with and the players that want to be here.”
Koscielny’s legacy at the club could be ruined by this messy departure from the Emirates and although the club are expected to hold talks with the player and his representatives in the next few days, it is understood Koscielny has already taken legal advice over the matter.
Although the Koscielny saga is not expected to be resolved immediately, Arsenal are expected to announce the signing of a new defender in the next 24 hours.
Saintt Etienne defender William Saliba has flown to London to conduct his medical and to complete his move.
Arsenal: Emery furious at Laurent Koscielny claims pundit
However, the 18-year-old will be loaned back to the Ligue 1 side next season, as the French club insisted that it was a non-negotiable condition on a transfer being agreed.
With the Gunner being short of the back for this season, Emery is also expected to keep Calum Chambers at the club rather than loan him out again.
Chambers signed for Arsenal back in 2014 for £16m from Southampton, but has only started just 30 Premier League games for them during that time.
Last season the 24-year-old was on loan at Fulham and made 29 league starts for the side who were relegated from the Premier League and conceded 81 goals in the process.