Robin Bairner

Koscielny: London attack has touched the France squad

The Arsenal defender, who went through a similar experience, urged locals to stay united in the face of the terrorism that struck the English capital

Laurent Koscielny has admitted that Wednesday’s attack on civilians in London has affected the France squad.

NxGn: 50 best U19 footballers

Didier Deschamps’ men were playing an international friendly with Germany on 13 November 2015 when a terrorist tried to attack the Stade de France with a bomb strapped to his body. That evening, Paris was hit by a string of attacks that killed 130 victims and left scores more injured.

Article continues below

The attack on Westminster, during which Khalid Masood killed three people and left 40 more injured brought back bad memories for all of the France players, but Arsenal defender Koscielny is confident that Londoners have the mental fortitude to resist any threat.

“Each time there’s a horror like this, it affects us,” he admitted. “We must be solid. The most important thing it to show that we’re stronger than that, even if there are sad days.