Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal star putting friendship to one side at Euro 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012
7:43 AM

Laurent Koscielny is determined to beat England and claim bragging rights over Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has admitted that it will be strange for him to be on the opposite side to Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when England face France at Euro 2012 but the Gunners defender will put friendship to one side on June 11.

The Frenchman is tipped to add to his solitary international cap and could line up against the Three Lions in Donetsk and he is aware of the threat England pose.

“England have quality,” Koscielny told the Daily Mirror.

“It will be strange to play against Theo [Walcott] and Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain]. But Arsenal is one thing, France is another.

“We’ve had a lot of jokes about playing against each other from being on the pitch together and in training at Arsenal. But while we laughed and joked, when the game comes it will be very serious and we must win the game. We all know that.

“Theo is such a threat, such a dangerous player. His pace makes him very difficult to defend against and Alex is such a talented young player with great belief.”