Arsenal fans voted Laurent Koscielny as Arsène Wenger’s most effective signing of 2010/11 following an impressive debut campaign.

After moving to Emirates Stadium from Lorient last summer, Laurent was thrust straight into the hustle and bustle of the English game and, despite a red card at Liverpool on his debut, he seemed take it all in his stride.

Arsène Wenger later admitted that he planned to ease his fellow Frenchman into the Arsenal side but it wasn’t long before Laurent was the Club’s first-choice centre back following Thomas Vermaelen’s long-term absence through injury. While Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci alternated he was a mainstay, making 43 appearances, and his mature performances fully justified his manager’s decision.

A season of highs also included a few low points with two red cards and THAT moment in the Carling Cup Final all part of the learning process. But there aren’t many who have adapted as well as Laurent to the step up in class the Premier League demands and that can only bode well for next season and beyond.

SOUNDBITE

“I am more confident and I have realised that I have the ability to become a regular player here and do well for this club. It was not easy but I got a lot of games under my belt, learned from them, took a lot of experience and now I am feeling really good.”

LAURENT KOSCIELNY 2010/11 SEASON STATSCompetition Appearances Goals

League 30 2

FA Cup 3 0

Carling Cup 6 1

Champions League  4 0

Totals 43 3

FINEST MOMENT

Arsenal had been frustrated by Everton, who held a controversial lead for much of the game, untilAndrey Arshavin’s volley levelled things up on 70 minutes. Just six minutes later, Koscielny lifted the roof off Emirates Stadium when he thundered home a header from Robin van Persie’s corner to secure a crucial three points.

Arsenal.com