Laurent Koscielny Bordeaux 2020-21Getty Images

Ex-Arsenal star Koscielny launches stunning attack on Bordeaux team-mates

Veteran defender Laurent Koscielny has slammed his Bordeaux team-mates, saying the atmosphere within the squad is "very average" and that some of the players do not have the "desire" to play to their best as they will be out of contract soon.

The former Arsenal centre-back moved to the Ligue 1 club in the summer of 2019, and is a senior figure in a side currently sat 11th in Ligue 1.

Having competed at the highest level for the Gunners and the France national team, Koscielny has high expectations of team-mates and says those have not been met at Bordeaux, admitting his harsh words for colleagues "might have shocked certain people" in the dressing room.

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What did Koscielny say?

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Koscielny said: “The atmosphere is average, very average. We have to be realistic. This is a squad with an enormous number of players who are coming to the end of their contract, players who want to leave. We have to remain with the people who want to fight, to share, to improve.

"This is the end of a cycle. When you have as many players like that, who don’t give you the desire to want to work, it is difficult to have results. That is also why sometimes I can be mean with my words. They are good guys, but if you don’t give yourself the means to improve and to have objectives, you will have nothing, and from one moment onwards, we will forget you.

"On that, I struggle with some of them because for me, success comes with work. I was brought up with values and we certainly weren’t brought up in the same way. On that, I am struggling a bit.

“At one moment or another, we will have to go onto the pitch with guys who you believe in and who have the same mentality as you. The coach will put together his team until the end of the season, and now we have three very important months. It is up to us to take as many points as quickly as possible to assure survival. Then, to turn the page and certainly clean house a bit.

“I am not going to be friends with everyone. When I speak, it is not to be negative, it is to bring those people the keys to be able to progress and be the best in the team. Aside from that, if you don’t want to hear it, you won’t hear it.

"If this implodes, it is like that. We need to move forward. You try to help people. If they don’t want to come with you, you leave them aside and move forward with the people who want to.

“After Marseille [a 0-0 draw on February 14], I said things. It certainly might have shocked certain people. They were strong words. I did not apologise, because to apologise is too easy. I said what needed to be said. Aside from that, if the message did not get through or if you don’t want to hear it, it is like that.”

Why is Koscielny frustrated?

Bordeaux have been, in Koscielny's words, very average this season. They have 33 points from 26 games, well off the pace for European qualification and 10 points above the relegation places.

They are currently on a run of four defeats in their last five games, with their only point in that period coming from the Marseille stalemate.

They have also failed to make an impact in cup competition, losing 2-0 at home to Ligue 2 side Toulouse in the Coupe de France

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