Arsenal star comments on perceived rashness: ‘People think I’m a little crazy’

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Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny talked to the press ahead of France’s World Cup clash against Nigeria.

Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny spoke to the press ahead of France’s World Cup clash against Nigeria in the round of 16.

Hot topics included the fitness of Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, the completion of France’s first World Cup objective followed by a level of criticism aimed at his rashness at the back.

The 28-year-old is often perceived as a calm, assured centre-back when in possession, but there is no denying that the Gunners defender every now and again concedes silly fouls, sometimes leading to penalties.

As seen in the table above, Opta stats shows how last season in the Premier League Koscielny on average committed the most number of fouls of any Arsenal defender, at 0.94 per game. The next highest was Bacary Sagna at 0.66 per game.

Moreover, the French international was the only Arsenal defender to concede a penalty, giving away three in total.

When quizzed by the press on his rashness, Koscielny admitted as such and knows the importance of trying to channel his excessive energy.

“The people think I’m a little too crazy. It’s true that I have excessive energy, and I know that I ought to channel it better,” he is quoted by the Mexican newspaper Record as saying.

Koscielny’s France go into their round of 16 clash with Nigeria in strong form after thrashing Honduras and Switzerland on their way to topping group E.

The real test for the French, however, starts on Monday and should they navigate their way past the Super Eagles, they could end up facing Germany for a place in the semi-finals.