Koscielny: The key to my improvement

Laurent Koscielny has revealed where he went to win over the fans this season - the gym. The French defender needed time to acclimatise to English football after moving from Lorient in the summer of 2011 but he has just completed a splendid second season at the heart of the Arsenal back four. Koscielny has been one of Arsène Wenger's most consistent performers and the supporters have recognised his contribution by voting him fourth in the Club's official Player of the Season poll. The man himself is grateful for the accolade and puts much of his improvement down to hard work off the pitch. "I was in the gym more, that is the first reason [I have been stronger]!" he told Arsenal Player. "I feel better than last year. I know the league, my team and the Club. I think I am better on and off the pitch so for a player, when you feel good with your team-mates, the Club and his family, it is better. I feel very good to help my team and to qualify for the Champions League. I just wanted that for the end of this season. "I know this league more than last year. In all my body I am better, not just physically, psychologically as well. It's great for me, I work hard in training to be strong and the results have been in my game. I try to be strong and be the best defender I can in my team." Koscielny had the final word on the final day of the 2011/12 campaign with the close-range winner that secured a 3-2 win at West Brom and with it a place in the group stage of the Champions League. But the 26-year-old's favourite moment of the season was a collective triumph. "I have a lot of best moments but maybe against Tottenham [was the best] because we were losing 2-0 after 25 minutes and came back to win," he said. "It was the derby so the atmosphere was amazing. The fans were amazing and it was a very good game for every player and everybody who watched this game."