Laurent Koscielny pens new long-term contract with Arsenal

Published May. 9, 2014 12:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

French defender Laurent Koscielny has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the club have announced.

The 28-year-old, signed from Ligue 1 side Lorient in summer 2010, has forged a strong partnership with Per Mertesacker in the center of the Gunners' defence, helping return 15 clean sheets in his 31 Barclays Premier League appearances as the team secured fourth place and also reached the FA Cup final.

"I am very proud to have reached agreement with the club on a new contract," Koscielny said on the club's official website, www.arsenal.com. I have enjoyed four great years at Arsenal already, and I look forward to continuing to help the team in the years to come."

Manager Arsene Wenger added: "Laurent has proven himself to be an outstanding player since joining us in 2010 and has showed his quality once again this season. I am delighted he has decided to commit his future to the club."

Koscielny's partnership with Mertesacker has left club captain Thomas Vermaelen on the sidelines for much of the current season.

He is the eighth member of Arsenal's first-team squad to sign a new contract this term.