Arsenal secure long-term Koscielny stay

Arsenal have signed France centre-back Laurent Koscielny to a new long-term contract, the Premier League club have announced.

Koscielny, 26, arrived in north London from Lorient at the start of the 2010/11 campaign and has been rewarded with an improved deal.

The Gunners gave no details of the deal other than describing it as a ‘long-term contract’.

“Laurent has been outstanding for us over the last two seasons,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s official website.

“When you consider that until 2009 he was playing in Ligue 2 in France and that he is now performing at the very top level in the Premier League and for his country, the development that he has shown has been absolutely exceptional.

“Laurent is a top-class player and I am very pleased he has decided to commit his future to the club.”

With injuries disrupting Wenger’s back line in recent years, Koscielny has become a mainstay at the Emirates Stadium and scored the winner against West Brom on the final day of last season to guarantee the club Champions League football in the upcoming campaign.

“I’m delighted to have reached agreement with the club,” Koscielny said. “I have had a fantastic time here and look forward to an exciting future with Arsenal.”