The severity of last weekend’s multiple terrorist attacks in Paris will linger long in the memory.
Laurent Koscielny was one of the French players in action at Stade de France when it was subjected to attempted entries by suicide bombers.
A loud explosion filled the air, outside the ground, as France played Germany. After the game, both sets of players remained in the ground as authorities tried to get a handle on the unfolding terrorist attacks across the city.
On Tuesday, Koscielny was one of eight Premier League-based players in the France squad that took on England at Wembley.
Arsene Wenger, the defender’s boss at Arsenal, was at the ground for England’s 2-0 win and was perturbed by what he saw.
This afternoon, Wenger said, “You could see that on Tuesday night he [Koscielny] was not himself.
“It affected him deeply and I didn’t recognise the player I saw on Friday night on Tuesday night.
“I will talk with him. What I will want from him is that he’s completely committed and feels ready. If not, I will not play him [against West Brom on Saturday].”
Wenger also told reporters that he was due to be at that France versus Germany game last Friday.
He said, “I was late for my appointment, so I was late to the stadium and I decided to watch the game in the hotel where I was.
“I was more under shock than fearful. You could be scared because it was four different places attacked. You don’t feel secure anywhere.
“Everybody who was in Paris on Friday night was in shock. France is like England – a tolerant and generous country. You have a bit more of a question of security, because it looks like it’s not the end of it.”
