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Francis Coquelin’s rise to stardom was one of last season’s feel good stories in world football. The Frenchman rose through the youth ranks at Arsenal, but saw his first team opportunities very limited. He was often used as a bit part player, playing out of position and filling gaps when needed, although never really breaking into the side.
He was sent on loan three times, the most recent of which was to Charlton last season. Only this time, an injury crisis at Arsenal (namely to Aaron Ramsey) meant his loan spell was cut short, and Francis was thrust directly in the line of fire.
He appeared as a substitute in his first three matches back with the club against Newcastle, Liverpool, and QPR, before being handed a start against West Ham.
It was his first in 23 months, and to everyone’s surprise he rose above and beyond expectations and kept his place for the time being. For the time being eventually turned into a permanent fixture in the side, as Coquelin seized the opportunity and never looked back.
It is approaching one year now since the day he made a triumphant return, and Francis has gone from peripheral player to one of the first names on the team sheet. His aggression and tough tackling quickly won over the Arsenal faithful, and he is now a key cog in Arsenal’s engine room.
The inclusion of Coquelin gave Arsenal some much needed steel and grit in the middle of the park. With Coquelin marshaling the back line, it affords our more attack minded midfielders that little bit more freedom to create and push forward.
He reads the game superbly, positioning himself well to break up attacks at their most dangerous point and he keep his teammates honest as well by barking orders and instructions.
His recovery pace is a welcome addition as well, as he is quite a few steps ahead of the other options available in holding midfield. He recovers quickly in transition, providing cover for our centre backs and halting dangerous moves.
Coquelin can take much credit for Arsenal’s slight change in philosophy last season. Last season saw Arsenal surrender possession in some instances in favour of better defencive shape. It resulted in a much more sound and organized side when without the ball, and helped to keep hold of leads.
It also helped to cope with dangerous counter attacks which proved to be achilles heel of Arsenal in the big matches, and the win over Man City at the Etihad was the crowning moment. Arsenal sat deeper and suffocated the space, winning the ball in good areas before hitting City quickly and decisively on the counter.
Coquelin was all over the place, winning tackles and disrupting attacks, and Arsenal maybe didn’t possess the personnel to facilitate this tactic before.
Francis has come in and provided the strength, grit, aggression, and overall desire in the middle of the park that Arsenal have been accused of missing for quite some time now, and deserves every bit of praise he has received.
Personally I think Wenger gives his players a chance and then says its up to you !! and because he doesnt buy players as he keeps faith in the ones we have gives the chance they woul;d not get in we just brought and brought players !!
and wasnt it Wenger tht gambled on bringing him back wasnt it wenger who found him in the first place wasnt wenger that gambled with giving him a chance !!
Personally i like Coquellin and i think it unfair to judge the team or the players or manager after 4 games !! only after 6 games do players starting finding their fitnes some players 2 or 3 games more !! i say after 9 games you can see how it is panning out !! I personally would like to see Wilshere and coquelin playing deeper or ramsey so we can free up Santi