Rio Ferdinand: 'Laurent Koscielny is best defender in the Premier League'

Former England and Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny is the best defender in the Premier League.

The French international was one of the Gunners' standout performers as they defeated Olympiacos 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Ferdinand has admitted that he has been impressed by what he has seen from the 30-year-old centre-back.

"Koscielny for me, when he's on form I think he's the best defender in the league," Ferdinand told BT Sport.

"[Manchester City's Vincent] Kompany's not fit enough consistently enough and he's turned into a real top-class defender."

Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2009.