LAURENT KOSCIELNY was so desperate to leave Arsenal that he took a massive pay cut to force through a move, according to reports.
The former Gunners captain, 34, forced through his exit from the Emirates last summer.
He joined Bordeaux, taking off an Arsenal shirt to reveal his new jersey and becoming the latest Arsenal skipper to leave under a cloud, with his replacement Granit Xhaka staying but stripped of the armband.
And according to the L’Equipe, the Frenchman cut his wages by 39 per cent to get out of North London.
He was on £90,000 per week but his deal at Bordeaux seems him pocket £51,000 per week now.
In an interview with the same newspaper in October, Koscielny opened up on her controversial exit, citing the physical demands of the Premier League and wanting to be near his family as the reasons behind his desire to leave.
He said: “A Premier League season is very long. It requires a lot physically and mentally.
“I didn’t feel I could play 40-50 matches and I didn’t want to end my career with injuries. I’ve gone down a level, but to take more pleasure.
“Either I finished there or changed clubs. With my family, we felt it was time.
“Everything was in my thinking: football, my physical state, my wife, my children, the daily life we could have.
“I can only say that I left with my head held high.
“All of those I worked with for nine years… everyone respected my decision to return home with my family.
“I’ve always been upstanding, respectful and loyal. I always gave my maximum.
“I spoke with the coach, who was understanding.”
Bordeaux sit 12th in Ligue 1 with Koscielny a regular at the back alongside Brazilian Pablo.
