Koscielny playing waiting game

The uncapped stopper has won a place in Laurent Blanc's squad for their upcoming friendlies with USA and Belgium.

Koscielny is happy being part of the France setup and knows he will eventually get his chance to stake a claim.

The 26-year-old accepts that experienced and more established players are ahead of him in the nation's packing order.

Patience

"France? My first cap will come one day," he told L'Equipe. "I don't get mad about that.

"I'm happy to be part of the group. I know there could be an opportunity.

"It is up to me to keep working hard to change the hierarchy's mind.

"I don't feel inferior to the other French defenders. They already proved their worth in the French team."

Misunderstanding

Koscielny was highlighted for his misunderstanding with Wojciech Szczesny as Arsenal suffered a late Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham last season.

He has revealed it was hard bouncing back from Wembley disappointment, but he says the club's defenders are used to being criticised.

However, he does feel they could be helped out by their team-mates as defending in numbers would not leave their backline quite so 'lonely'.

"People have kept in mind my misunderstanding with Wojciech Szczesny, because the club expected its first trophy in six years," he continued.

"The most difficult was to bounce back. That is what I have done. I didn't expect to play 43 matches for my first season, and I had to learn quicker than expected.

"Arsenal's defence? We are used to being criticised. I don't want to be nasty, but when you defend with only four players, it is difficult.

"Sometimes you feel lonely. When you watch Barca, everyone is defending, even Messi! We have a tendency to attack unreservedly. However it is something we achieved to change this term, notably against Marseille."