Arsène Kouassi: Lorient's marauding left back
A perennial hotbed of young talent, Ligue 1 McDonald's has plenty of exciting young footballers, and today's latest "One to Watch" focuses on FC Lorient wingback Arsène Kouassi.
From Corsica to Brittany
Born in Côte d'Ivoire to Burkinabé parents, Kouassi got his start with New Stars, where his talent (if not his defensive discipline) was immediately apparent to Ahmed Touma, head of the academy: "Arsene was a treat to see play and usually after each match, the teams said superior to us, asked us for their academy or for their club. To be honest, he was born with his talent, he already had something more. At the academy, everyone was unanimous on their great potential.”
That great potential was put to the test when Kouassi came to Europe in 2021, joining AC Ajaccio, but it would take him some time to establish himself in the first team, as he only signed his first professional contract in 2024. While last season was marred by a lengthy suspension for his behavior towards a match official, he impressed enough to follow his first coach in Corsica north to the Moustoir.
𝙁𝙍𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘼𝘼𝙋𝙋𝙀𝙀𝙀𝙀𝙀𝙀 🔊
En tribunes ou devant votre télé, vous l'avez tous souhaité...
Après un travail épatant d'Arsène Kouassi, Igor Silva égalise d'une frappe limpide 🚀⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V6Zgr29w8C— FC LORIENT 🐟 (@FCLorient) October 30, 2025
A revelation in the top flight
After joining his former manager Olivier Pantaloni at Lorient ahead of this season, there were doubts about whether the diminutive Kouassi could make the step up to the top division, even if his manager was impressed, as he explained to FC Lorient recently: I was necessarily following Ajaccio last season and were very regularly in contact with Thierry Debès who had taken over the team in January. Arsène came out regularly in our discussions and we thought that he was certainly one of the top 2-3 players in his position in Ligue 2. That’s what prompted me to bring him here."
But being one of the best in Ligue 2 doesn't necessarily translate to a big role in the top flight. Indeed, he would face not only competition from opponents, but from Darlin Yongwa, who had recorded seven assists as Les Merlus sealed promotion. But where his team have struggled at times, he has shone consistently and has even made a fair case for being the best left back in the league outside of Nuno Mendes.
With a goal and two assists to his name already it's clear he hasn't missed a beat, with his attacking potential on full display. Far from the archetypal left back, his pace and ability with the ball at his feet make him dangerous in a range of positions, as evidenced by his ranking third in the league in completed dribbles. A constant threat against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, he tormented makeshift right back Iliya Zabarni, and served yet another warning to the rest of the league of his considerable talent, making him well-deserving of being "One To Watch."
