When fit, Didier Deschamps’ centre-back pairing of choice has always been Laurent Koscielny and Raphaël Varane.
The likes of Samuel Umtiti, Adil Rami and now Presnel Kimpembe have enjoyed some game time in each of the pair’s multiple absences over the past few years, but the Arsenal man is a well-known France favourite.
However, now 32 years old, Koscielny is fully aware that his time is probably coming to an end, and in a press conference ahead of his country’s two friendlies, hinted he’d rather it be on his own terms than simply fall out of favour.
The Arsenal defender said, relayed by Le Parisien: “I still have a few years left ahead of me, but these are probably my last few months with the France team. Everything comes to an end, whether it be internationally or for your club.
“I think that after the World Cup, the time will have come to let the youth come through. They have the talent. I did what I had to do with France. I have six months left to enjoy myself and create a maximum amount of memories, as my wife would say.”
Recovering from an Achilles injury, the centre-back admitted he still gets some pain, but is managing it all by just playing a game a week and getting daily care to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
The 32-year-old has only made eight appearances for Arsenal so far this season, all in the Premier League.
