Arsenal defender to bulk up for Premier League test (From Haringey Independent)

Koscielny wants to 'gain muscle' ahead of Liverpool opener

1:35pm Wednesday 4th August 2010 in Sport

ARSENAL defender Laurent Koscielny intends to 'gain muscle' ahead of the Premier League season to prepare himself for the rigours of English football.

The French centre-half, who joined from Ligue 1 side Lorient this summer, impressed against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup last weekend. And he looks set to partner Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of the back four when the Gunners line up against Liverpool at Anfield on August 15 for their Premier League curtain-raiser.

Koscielny has already proved he is not afraid of the physical side of the game against Milan and Celtic, but revealed he wants to bulk up to ensure he is not bullied by some of the league's bigger frontmen.

“I feel ready,” the 24-year-old told Arsenal.com.

“I like the physical challenge of the English league. I will gain a little muscle, but I am not afraid of anything, I just want to get stronger.”

Koscielny has also been brushing up on his English so that communication on the pitch does not become a problem.

“Thomas and I help each other a lot on the pitch,” he added.

“The job demands a lot of communication, being in defence. I am trying to make as much effort as possible to speak in English so that the communication is fluent on the pitch, and slowly it will come. It will get better and better.”