LONDON (Reuters) - Arsenal defender Laurent Kucielny has refused to join the US preparatory round ahead of the start of the new season, Arsenal said on Monday.
The group published a statement in which it expressed its disappointment at the behavior of its leader: "Laurent Kucielny refused to travel to the United States to participate in the preparatory round."
"We are very disappointed with Laurent's actions, which are contrary to our clear instructions."
"We hope to resolve this issue, and we will not publish any additional comments at this time," he concluded.
The 33-year-old, who has been defending the club since 2010, said earlier that he had received offers from French clubs and asked Arsenal to free him from his final year in his contract to return home.
The French defender played 353 games in the colors of the Gunners and contributed to winning the FA Cup three times (2014, 2015 and 2017), the Community Shield in the same years and the European League final (Europa League), which he lost to fellow Chelsea last season and was chosen to wear a badge Led the start of last season, after the retirement of the former commander of the defender, German Per Mertesaker.