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Laurent Koscielny hails Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's influence on his career

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger (L) talks with Arsenal's French defender Laurent Koscielny during a team training session
Image: Laurent Koscielny has hailed the influence Arsene Wenger has had on his career

Laurent Koscielny has defended Arsene Wenger's recent record at Arsenal, saying his success can be measured by the impact he's had on the players who have learned under him.

Despite winning the FA Cup twice in the last three campaigns, Wenger has come under continued scrutiny for his failure to guide Arsenal to the Premier League title since 2004.

But the French defender, who has been at the Emirates Stadium since 2010, hailed Wenger for the profound effect he has on his players' lives both on and off the pitch.

"You may say that we haven't won the title for a long time, but he has not just built players, he's built men too," Koscielny told Arsenal's website.

Arsenal's Francis Coquelin, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud sign their new contracts with manager Arsene Wenger at London Colney
Image: Arsenal's Francis Coquelin, Koscielny and Olivier Giroud signed their new contracts with the club this month

"Every player who has played for Arsenal has grown here and has become a man. It's a big number [of players]. For me and the others, it's a good opportunity to be with him and learn from him.

"He's passionate about football. He loves football and he loves to watch his team play well with the ball. That's why he's here again after 20 years.

"Along with a lot of people, he's helped this club grow with a new stadium, a new training ground, and he built the platform for us to compete for the Premier League and Champions League every year."

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Swansea 0-4 Arsenal

Arsenal currently find themselves in fourth in the Premier League table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea and two clear of Manchester City in fifth.

Wenger's side next face Burnley at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, the second game of a triple header on Super Sunday live on Sky Sports.

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