Koscielny tried to lure Giroud to Bordeaux

Koscielny

signed for

Bordeaux

following a €5 million move from

Arsenal

. The France international says despite being a key figure under

Unai Emery

and

Arsene Wenger

, his decision to return to his homeland was motivated by a desire to move out of the spotlight.

"I could have stayed at Arsenal, remain the captain of the team, play a leading role in the Premier League, but I've come to an age where I need to enjoy life,"

the 35-year-old told

France Football

.

"I didn't want to play for another club in England, it was impossible. I had known too much with Arsenal."

At his first season in Bordeaux, the club avoided relegation as the season been called short because of the Covid pandemic. However, he tried to add more depth and strength to the club during the last winter window by convincing his former team-mate, Olivier Giroud, to join

Bordeaux

.

Giroud

was out of Frank Lampard’s favor during Lampard’s first half-season at

Chelsea

. However, he ended up staying put and went on to earn a one-year contract extension in May.

Koscielny added:

"Yeah, that's right. I tried. Oli didn't come and I totally respect his choice."

The former Gunners defender was asked about the worst game of his career.

"My worst game? Perhaps it was the 8-2 in Manchester, against United that was two days before the end of the summer transfer window," 

Koscielny added.

"We were playing with players who were in the process of leaving and United had 100 per cent success with every strike [at goal]. We all had a bad game."