Arsenal have started disciplinary proceedings against Laurent Koscielny after the club captain refused to travel with the squad for their pre-season tour.
The Gunners fly to the United States at lunchtime on Thursday, but will travel without their skipper who stunned club chiefs by turning up at London Colney on Thursday morning and announcing he would spend the day training and that he would not be joining the rest of the squad on the coach to the airport.
The 33-year-old is desperate to return to France this summer and is trying to force through a move, with Bordeaux interested in the experienced defender.
Arsenal chiefs have been made well aware of Koscielnyâs desire to leave in the past week, but he is demanding that they release him on a free transfer – something the Gunners will not agree to.
Arsenal, however, are standing firm and have already started disciplinary proceedings against their captain following his shock decision.