Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny refuses to join pre-season tour

The 33-year-old has been linked with a return to France this summer with the likes of Lyon, Bordeaux and Rennes showing interest. Reports suggest that the experienced stopper asked to be released from his contract this summer, only for the club to refuse.  And the experienced centre-back has now taken matters into his own hands after angering his employers by refusing to join the Gunners’ squad on the plane. An Arsenal statement read: “Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for our pre-season tour. “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.” Koscielny is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates and made just 17 Premier League appearances during an injury-hit 2018/19 campaign. Now read… Bargains! 11 of football’s best free transfers EVER Quiz! Can you name the top three all-time goalscorers for every current Premier League club? Topics Arsenal, Premier League, Transfer news Arsenal keen to offload these two big earners – and know their replacements Arsenal target Yannick Carrasco admits he has an “offer on the table” 5 centre-backs Arsenal could realistically sign this summer Young Arsenal defender wants to leave this summer – report Everton weigh up record-breaking bid for Ligue 1 ace Lukaku misses open training session Serie A club turn to Tottenham defender in search for new blood Competing with Harry Kane puts key Tottenham target off a move to London Laurent Koscielny remains grounded after Arsenal exit blocked Wolves’ ambitious owners understand they can’t match the Big Six – and that’s why they might actually break it PSG set eye-watering Neymar price as Barcelona consider next move The fall of Neymar: where PSG’s ill-tempered talisman has been going wrong Wednesday’s big transfer rumours: Manchester United given permission to speak to midfielder Tottenham wary of late hijack from rivals as they close in on new midfielder