In a season where Alexis Sanchez has been top form, it says something that Francis Coquelin has proven to be Arsenal’s biggest revelation. The Gunners have been crying out for a proper defensive midfielder ever since Alex Song flew the coop and now they’ve found one.
This is all the more surprising given how this season started. A few months back, it looked like Coquelin’s Arsenal career was over. He was shipped out to Charlton Athletic and it wasn’t clear that he’d ever return.
Fortunately, however, an Arsenal injury crisis necessitated his return and he was soon thrust back into Premier League action. He grabbed at the opportunity with both hands and has managed to excel. He was imperious against Manchester City a couple of months back and he schooled Marouane Fellaini in Arsenal’s recent battle against Manchester United.
Jack Wilshere has certainly been impressed by what he’s seen. Check out these comments:
“I’ve played with Francis in midfield since I was 15. I used to win him by saying, ‘Listen, you do all the dirty work and the tackling and then let me have the ball!’ But the thing is, he loves that side of it. But the thing is, he loves that side of it. He’s really good at it, he’s tenacious, the way he always goes after the ball.
Not everyone has that ability to win the ball back and to be aggressive… I think there’s much more to come from him as well. He’s a great defensive midfielder, but going forward he was always a threat in the youth team. I think he can score goals too.” (Source: The Metro)
Despite Coquelin’s rise to prominence, Arsenal continue to pick up links to defensive midfielders like Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. Still, I hope the Frenchman continues to be given an opportunity to prove himself.
I’m not sure how much more there is to come from him (particularly from an attacking perspective), but what’s he’s currently offering up is more than good enough. His defensive diligence is unrivaled within this Arsenal team. Let’s hope that Arsene Wenger recognises this.
What’s your take? What does the future hold for Francis Coquelin?
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