Arsenal news: Lorient president Loic Fery claims Laurent Koscielny wants to return to French club

Lorient president Loic Fery has made a startling revelation regarding Arsenal stalwart Laurent Koscielny, stating that the Frenchman has informed him of his desire to head home despite being under contract at the Emirates until 2020.

The defender has been at the Emirates since 2010 and has become one of the first names on Arsene Wenger's teamsheet due to his displays at the back. The 32-year-old inspired the Gunners to three FA Cup victories but was suspended for their most recent victory over Chelsea last season.

The north London club have kept two back-to-back clean sheets following a harrowing defeat at Manchester City, including one over archrivals Tottenham and an in-form Burnley side who have exceeded expectations this season. The Gunners have turned a corner in recent weeks, with Koscielny manning the right side of the back-three, while Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal have been equally resourceful in defence.

However, despite the disclosure, Fery is hopeful the Frenchman can still play a few more years with the Gunners at the top level before returning to Lorient where he can hang up his boots, the club where he started his career.

Fery told Canal+ Sport, as quoted by The Sun, "He told me last week in London that he wanted to finish his career at Lorient. I hope he has a few more years playing at Arsenal."

Koscielny has made over 300 appearances for Arsenal under Wenger and is also an integral part of Didier Deschamp's France side and is nailed-in to make the World Cup squad for Russia in 2018. The centre-back has also revealed that he will retire from international duty after the tournament so as to extend his club career.

"There is an end to everything. After the World Cup, I would be almost 33-years-old, it will be time to leave the place. I have six months left in the French team to blossom and take as many memories, as my wife would say," Koscielny had told L'Equipe earlier, as quoted by Sky Sports.