No, he really hasn't. The likes of Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini and Nasri achieved far less here and did far worse (Refusing to attend the final game of the season, eating ice cream with Milan reps the night before a big CL game) and are still spoken of fondly on here.
Sure, we plucked him from obscurity but we also plucked Yaya Sanogo, Park Chu Young, Inamoto, Andre Santos, Denilson and a whole host of others out of obscurity. Where are they now? We gave Kos the platform and he took full advantage by putting in stellar performances season after season. We didn't make him a French International, that was 50/50. If Kos wasn't a good player, he never would have made the French National Team.
Wouldn't you be bitter if you were in his shoes? I'm sure Benzema, Rabiot and everyone else who missed out are also bitter. I can guarantee you a part of Gerrard and Carragher will be slightly bitter when Liverpool win the premier league because they couldn't do it in their playing days. It's human nature, these guys aren't robots.
I think the nine years of service, his age and three FA Cups gives him a bit of leeway. I'm all for the club making a stand and putting their foot down, but you can't just do things on paper without looking at the circumstances. Arsenal is a business, but it's compromised of people and what do we lose by acquiescing to Kos's demands?
He isn't asking to go to Man United because of the little boy inside him. He isn't going on strike to secure a move to Barcelona only to play for Chelsea a few years later while pretending to love the club. Nor is he running down his deal to leave for AC Milan on a free. He isn't hitching up his skirts and demanding a move to Chelsea after saying he would welcome competition. He's not 24-26 years old making Beyonce analogies or engineering a move to Man City
He's 33 years old and wants to go to a smaller club in Ligue 1 because his body can't take it or whatever his reasons are. We lose out on a few million quid. So what?
This isn’t me sticking up for Cesc, Nasri and especially the Judas- but they aren’t the measuring stick of what a model pro is. If we’re comparing Kos to them then already we’re in trouble.
I think Kos has been our most consistent defender for the last 10 years, but as captain of this club the way he’s gone about leaving is an abomination.
Fair enough, he wants out, I get that. But refusing to train, refusing to attend a ****ing pre season tour? That’s ridiculous. Nasri actually played for us a day or two before leaving for City, he was always gonna get his move.
I highly doubt the club is standing in his way. But he needs to respect the fact he’s under contract here and we sanction the sale- not him. Other than Cesc, who have you mentioned that acted in such a manner? The common theme is none are remembered too fondly here, Kos would’ve been- but because of this little manoeuvre he’s ****ed it.