Koscielny wants time to 'adapt'

Arsenal new recruit Laurent Koscielny says he will need time to 'adapt' to the rigours of the Premier League.

The Gunners swooped to capture the signature of the centre-back from French side Lorient on Thursday in a bid to bolster their back line.

William Gallas and Sol Campbell are free agents this summer and the purchase of Koscielny - for an undisclosed fee - gives manager Arsene Wenger much-needed options.

But the 24-year-old warned he would not be ready to compete in England immediately as he is not yet strong enough to deal with its physical nature.

"I will need time to adapt. I have to earn a position in the team and play," said Koscielny in L'Equipe.

"Nothing is for sure so far. I believe I will have to work hard, doing a lot of bodybuilding exercises to resist Premier League forwards.

Cleverness
"I am not strongly built, but I make up for it with some cleverness, positioning and anticipation. I believe the manager has appreciated my state of mind, my concentration on the game."

The move to the Emirates Stadium marks a significant step up in class for the Frenchman and the promising stopper has been rewarded with a long-term contract, although the club refused to give an exact time-period for the deal.

Arsenal will look to challenge for title honours this campaign after fading away badly last season and Koscielny admits he is delighted to be given such an opportunity.

And once he knew the London club were interested in signing him, the chance to move across the Channel proved to be an offer too good to turn down.

Speaking about his delight at securing a deal, Koscielny added: "I have started to realise, above all when I had my first training session.

"It is logical some team-mates don't know me. But I am so happy. It would be difficult to not be happy.

"When Arsenal called me I didn't hesitate one second, I didn't even think about it. I immediately replied 'yes'. Anyway, if it would not have been Arsenal, it would have been nothing else."


Re-launch
Koscielny feels his style of play can be an asset to the Gunners, who are known for their brand of passing football.

The former Tours FC man also believes his time in an Arsenal jersey could reap rewards in the form of caps for his national team.

He explained: "Moreover, as with (Lorient boss) Christian Gourcuff and (Tours FC manager) Daniel Sanchez, Mr Wenger likes the game to start with defenders.

"For those tacticians, they are the first to re-launch the game. I am a player, I like it.

"The French team? I don't think about it so far. However, if I play at Arsenal (it could happen)."

From skysports.com