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Laurent Koscielny breaks down in tears during Arsenal players’ crisis meeting – held without Arsene Wenger

Frenchman insists his children were asking him why they were so bad after two 3-0 defeats to Manchester City

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LAURENT KOSCIELNY broke down in tears during Arsenal players’ crisis meeting because his children had been asking him why the club were so bad.

As exclusively revealed by SunSport on Thursday, Gunners stars held a meeting without under-fire Arsene Wenger.

 Laurent Koscielny broke down in tears during a players' team meeting
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Laurent Koscielny broke down in tears during a players' team meetingCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Laurent Koscielny insists his children are asking him why Arsenal are so bad
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Laurent Koscielny insists his children are asking him why Arsenal are so badCredit: Getty

And, all got a bit too much for Koscielny, who bore all to his team-mates.

But things went from bad-to-worse for Wenger, who has now lost the support of Arsenal’s board after their crushing defeats by Manchester City.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis, along with fellow directors Sir Chips Keswick and Lord Harris of Peckham, no longer believe their legendary boss is the right man to lead the club.

Majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has made it clear he will have the final say on Wenger’s future.

 Laurent Koscielny flies into a challenge during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester City
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Laurent Koscielny flies into a challenge during Arsenal's defeat to Manchester CityCredit: EPA
 Arsenal players held the crisis meeting without under-fire Arsene Wenger
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Arsenal players held the crisis meeting without under-fire Arsene WengerCredit: Reuters

But Gazidis is already masterminding the huge restructuring process going on behind the scenes  as the Gunners prepare for 68-year-old Wenger’s departure.

Arsenal were beaten 3-0 by City in the Carabao Cup final last Sunday and  by the same scoreline at the Emirates on Thursday.


GUNNER GO Arsenal should announce Arsene Wenger’s departure NOW and give him the 10-game salute he deserves


They are sixth in the Premier League — 30 points behind leaders City after losing nine times already this season.

And the players then held a crisis meeting — without Wenger — where Koscielny broke down in tears.

 Arsene Wenger and Laurent Koscielny walk out at Wembley for Carabao Cup final
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Arsene Wenger and Laurent Koscielny walk out at Wembley for Carabao Cup finalCredit: Reuters

It is also claimed another player said his team-mates needed more help from the coaches.

Wenger, in charge of the Gunners for 21 years, signed a new two-year deal last summer.

But he  has failed to win the title since 2004.

Sources claim Wenger has told friends he will not quit and is determined to see out his contract to the end of next season.

But Arsenal are staring at the prospect of another season without Champions League football, as they lie ten points adrift of fourth place.

 Arsenal players held crisis meeting following shocking defeats to Manchester City
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Arsenal players held crisis meeting following shocking defeats to Manchester CityCredit: PA:Press Association

Their only hope of silverware, and a route into next season’s Champions League, is by winning the Europa League.

They face AC Milan in the last 16, with the first leg in Italy next Thursday.

And Wenger is ready to prioritise the competition by resting a number of his star men for tomorrow’s tricky trip to Brighton.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admitted a top-four finish has almost gone.

He said: “There are some players who are maybe resigned.

“There is a lot of disappointment and we are not happy with our displays against Manchester City.”

Arsene Wenger faces tough questions after Arsenal lose 3-0 to Manchester City for the second time in a week
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