Arsenal star Laurent Koscielny reveals his childhood hero is a former Tottenham icon
French defender shocks Gunners supporters by naming Spurs legend as his favourite player of all time
DIDIER DESCHAMPS, Laurent Blanc and Marcel Desailly were all icons of the French national team as Arsenal star Laurent Koscielny was growing up.
And after Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph in 1998 when the defender was just 13, he literally had dozens of idols to choose from – but it is a former Tottenham man that captured his imagination.
And it was not even one of his fellow countrymen… So you can rule out David Ginola.
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In fact, in what might come as a shock to Gunners supporters, it was former Spurs and England winger Chris Waddle.
Koscielny, 31, told : “I liked Chris Waddle a lot.
“When he used to play for Marseille he was an amazing player - technically with his left foot he was unbelievable.
“I loved to watch him because I think for him football was entertainment, he did a show. When he scored goals or gave assists he played for the fans in the stands.
“I think that’s why I like Marseille and that’s why I like football more than any other sport. It’s because he put a smile on my face and I loved that.”
Waddle enjoyed a fine career at home and abroad after bursting onto the scene with hometown club Newcastle United.
A big-money move to Spurs arrived in 1985 before he went on to enjoy three years with Marseille.
He later returned to the Premier League, playing for Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford and Sunderland.
Koscielny is now an icon to Arsenal fans around the world, and he has admitted he enjoys it when he sees supporters wearing his name on the back of their shirts.
He added: “I have a big smile. I think if they have my name on their shirts it’s because I represent something special for them.
“First I sign the shirt [when they approach me]. They always say, ‘I would like to be like you’ and I say, ‘OK, if you want to be like me, you need to work hard’.
“To be a professional footballer you need to have some humility, to have some respect for your team-mates and for everyone who tries to help you to become a footballer. It’s very important to have all this in your head.”