The real reason why Laurent Koscielny has gone on strike at Arsenal | OneFootball

Laurent Koscielny has gone on strike at Arsenal after a bitter row erupted between himself and the club over their proposal of a new contract.

It was revealed earlier on Thursday that the captain had refused to travel to Australia for the start of their pre-season in the hope of forcing a move back to France with Bordeaux.

However a story in the Mirror has suggested that tensions between the centre-back and the Gunners hierarchy have been brewing for months now.

Koscielny had been willing to stay in north London and was in talks about getting a 12 month extension.

Arsenal themselves were willing to hand the defender that extension, but because of his injury record, were going to pay Koscielny less per week but include appearance and performance-related bonuses.

Koscileny is supposed to have been furious with this development and now wants Arsenal to let him leave, for free, this summer.

This is despite Koscielny still having a year left on his original deal.

O Captain! My Captain!