Francis Coquelin is set to join German Bundesliga side SC Freiburg on a one-year loan deal. The Frenchman was spotted at the German clubs training session on Wednesday ahead of confirmation of a move. On Thursday a report in reliable German media outlet ‘Kicker’ confirmed the deal.
The 22 year-old has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal, with the player reportedly growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of game time at the Emirates. The midfielder clearly has talent though, and has put in some good performances in both defensive midfield and at full-back. A loan could be the best for both parties with a future at the London club not off the cards.
Back in March the player told Arsenal.com he still had a lot to learn:
“I am improving every day and hopefully in a few years I will be at my maximum. But I still look at the players around me and realise that there is so much to learn.
“I look at Mikel Arteta’s positioning and passing; at Abou Diaby and even players not in my position like Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere. What Jack is doing at his age is unbelievable.
“You want to impress everyone, from the manager to all the people watching you, to your team-mates and even your family. Every time I am on the pitch I just try to be as good as possible.”
Fresh Arsenal also understands that Marouane Chamakh is likely to be excluded from the Asian tour in order to seal a move away from the Emirates. We believe Chamakh has already met clubs regarding a transfer with Galatasary currently leading the chase.
There has been some interest in the Moroccan with Anzhi, Marseille and Dinamo Kiev also linked. A fee is unlikely to be an issue, with the Gunners actively looking to shift the forward, what could cause problems is his current reported £60,000 per-week wages. The 29 year-old’s contract expires next summer.
Photo via Ronnie Macdonald