Laurent Koscielny has become a mainstay for Arsenal since his arrival back in 2010, making 147 appearances in that time, it is more important than ever to hold onto the 29-year-old.
Reports this week were suggesting that the Arsenal defensive linchpin could be a target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, following the interest shown by Manchester United for their very own Sergio Ramos.
Wenger deserves credit for acquiring Koscielny
In Arsene Wenger's 19 years at Arsenal, he has taken much criticism, especially what is seen as the inability to replace such names as Lee Dixon, Martin Keown, Tony Adams and Sol Campbell to name just a few, but in Koscielny he has really found someone good enough to be mentioned in the same breath as the Highbury greats.
Koscielny first arrived at Arsenal in 2010 from Ligue 1 outfit Lorient, the centre-back was an unknown like most of Wenger's acquisitions around that time, he developed a reputation for plucking players from relative obscurity.
The jury was out on the 6ft 1inch defender, who looked incredibly light physically for the Premier League, he had a tough first campaign in England with many claiming he was not good enough to wear the red and white.
How things have changed, especially over the last three seasons, there is now a strong defensive understanding with German international Per Mertesacker, who himself has been much maligned in his Arsenal career.
Koscielny's achievements are down to the professionalism of the player himself, it took him just four years from playing in Ligue 2 with Tours FC prior to getting his move into the English top flight. Laurent knew he had to bulk up and from the 2011-2012 season Arsenal fans saw a better, quicker and stronger central defender who is now one of the most uncompromising to play against.
Koscielny should not be for sale, at any price
The talk of this £21million bid from Real Madrid must be met with a firm rejection, if it is received, Arsenal now find themselves in a more than stable financial situation, in the words of one Ivan Gazidis: "we can now compete with the likes of Bayern Munich."
Arsenal's French defender is a born leader and it would not be a surprise to many if he were to named vice captain next season, it would be well deserved.
Current club captain Mikel Arteta will mostly be on the sidelines due to the emergence of Francis Coquelin, it is possible that Per Mertesacker will be promoted to full-time captain with Koscielny taking his vice-captain vacancy.
The improvement of Arsenal's defensive pillar has been there for all to see, many fans will identify Chelsea's John Terry as one of the most effective defenders the league has ever seen, well Koscielny can go toe-to-toe with the Chelsea captain.
The strongest part of the Frenchman's game is how well he reads the game, making 93 interceptions in 27 league games last season, highlights how phenomenal he is. That just goes someway to show how well he and his defensive partner Mertesacker perform as a unit.
It is important that Wenger strengthens his squad for next season, the need is for at least three additions, which includes the impending arrival of Chelsea's Petr Cech, but losing Koscielny would be a monumental blow if indeed Arsenal see themselves as worthy title contenders.