They now form the heart of the Arsenal defence so when Arsenal centreback Laurent Koscielny signed a new deal with Arsenal that will keep him at the club until 2017, partner in the backline, Thomas Vermaelen, couldn’t hide his delight.

Speaking on Arsenal’s pre-season tour, Vermaelen said

I heard the news that Laurent extended his contract and I’m really happy.  From the start when he came to Arsenal he has shown he is a great player and he is developing really well.  I think he has done everything for the club already and I hope he will stay a few more years.  Of course he is not here at the moment because he is not fit – he had a holiday because he played in the Euro’s but he is a great player and I’m happy that he signed for the club.

Lauded as one of Arsenal’s best players last season, Koscielny came in for a lot of unfair criticism during his first season in the Premier League but his performance last season silenced his critics and many Arsenal fans see him as the number one centreback at the club.

Signed from Lorient in 2010, Kos has already made over 85 appearances for Arsenal.