Many questions came up after Arsenal released their team selection for the trip to PSG, but one name stood out from the bunch more than any other.
Having rested Granit Xhaka at the weekend, 99% of Gunners fans were not expecting to see Francis Coquelin in the starting XI, and Wenger’s decision backfired massively.
It’s just another one of Wenger’s moves to try and be clever/faithful to Coquelin who helped us out in a time of need through his sheer willingness to commit to a tackle in any position.
However, the time for aggression is over and following his typical 20th minute yellow card, Coquelin resorted to playing a cautious 71 minutes before being replaced by Xhaka.
People are really expecting the wrong things from Cazorla & Coquelin. They want Cazorla to play like Makelele & Coquelin to play like Kroos.
— JamesGooner88 (@JamesGooner88) September 14, 2016
Only 26% of Francis Coquelin carries were towards goal last year – the lowest of all centre mids in the Premier League last season.
— Tom (@Worville) September 14, 2016
Coquelin played attacking midfield again. I really don’t get it.
— Oli Price-Bates (@OliPriceBates) September 13, 2016
Spends £35m on a CDM to replace an okay but average Coquelin.
Starts Coquelin & leaves £35m player on bench. pic.twitter.com/iCaotOd3iw
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) September 13, 2016
Long balls up to midgets. No shots on target. Calamitous defending. Coquelin getting booked. Resting players unnecessarily. We’re back.
— Sam (@samuelJayC) September 13, 2016
Francis Coquelin has been yellow carded in 3 of his 4 Arsenal appearances this season. [@Squawka] #afc pic.twitter.com/iuyQ8cRqPY
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 13, 2016
We cant keep playing Coquelin, he has many limitations to his game and we struggle to build from deep when he plays in the pivot.
— Chris (@Gooner_DB) September 14, 2016
Loads of you seem to think Coquelin’s strengths are off the ball. He’s almost worse off than on. Never offers a pass. Always out of position
— Sam Lloyd (@Sam_Lloyd14) September 14, 2016
We played without a proper DM for a very long time, Coquelin came along and we thought he was the best. No, he isn’t.
— Steve Dede (@DizSteve) September 14, 2016
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