The intensity of the squad competition at the club this season has been immense, breeding the best out of the players tussling for a regular berth in their natural positions. Along with two new faces at the Emirates there’s been a few others who have shone with consistency throughout the campaign.
Francis Coquelin
The 24 year-old Frenchman has come a long way prior to becoming one of Arsenal’s most indispensable midfielders this season.
When his career in North London was seemingly on the fringes of extinguishment, following unsuccessful loan spells at Freiburg and Charlton in 2014, he rose from the brink and surprised many in the footballing world, after an emergency re-call to the club in December.
Call it fate or destiny, either way, all those mounting injuries in midfield at the time were a blessing in disguise for Coquelin, which allowed him to perform in place of Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini. He’s proven to be a much needed upgrade from the latter two.
He himself admitted that his loan spell at Freiburg, whilst not being very enjoyable, was very educational. It was a very harsh learning experience, which in turn improved his mental strength, helping him to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the league this season.
When Arsene Wenger spoke to him about his future, Coquelin accepted that he wouldn’t go far as a creative midfielder and had to play to his strengths. It may not breed the glamorous football of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil, but it doesn’t matter. Coquelin has shown that.
He breaks the play, he intercepts passes, he’s brave in the tackle and that’s the balance he provides a team, filled to the rim with offensive talent. He’s been our new-age Gilberto Silva – a player whose role is taken for granted, until he’s absent from the side.