After joining Arsenal from Stade Lavallois in July 2008, France U21 midfielder Francis Coquelin made his first-team debut two months later at the age of just 17 in a 6-0 League Cup win over Sheffield United. Since then he has made a total of 43 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, four of those coming before a successful loan spell at Lorient in 2010/11 where he made 25 appearances, scoring one goal.
He is currently out on loan at SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, and has made 15 appearances to date, showing his versatility by playing both in central midfield, and on the wing. Despite a tough start (including picking up a second yellow card in his second game), it would appear that the young Frenchman is starting to settle in at the German club.
In terms of impressive displays last season, a man-of-the-match performance in a 2-0 loss against Schalke at home, and a superb display in the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay against Swansea spring to mind – a game in which he would surely have claimed the man-of-the-match award had it not been for the sensational Jack Wilshere.
However, does he have a future with Arsenal? Like the returning Mathieu Flamini, he is a tenacious defensive midfielder who also offers alot of versatility – a large amount of his time at Arsenal has been spent at right-back, including his first-team debut. His impressive passing range, tackling and reading of the game surely indicate a bright future.
Unfortunately though, it is not always as simple as that. While he is likely to be ahead of the likes of Nico Yennaris and Emmanuel Frimpong in the pecking order when he returns, he faces a very tough task indeed to break into the Arsenal team. The midfield is currently packed in these areas – Flamini himself, Aaron Ramsey, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby all spring to mind, not to forget the rising Isaac Hayden, who made his first-team debut earlier this season.
If he were to return and fight for a place, perhaps he would be Flamini’s defensive-midfield understudy. While he lacks his fellow countryman’s experience, he is arguably a better player technically, especially in terms of his passing. It is doubtful however, that he would settle for a peripheral role, as this is what lead him to ask for a loan move out this season. Rotation between Flamini, Arteta and Coquelin would give Wenger different options while retaining protection for the back-four.
It is worth noting Arsenal’s attempts to sign Colombia U20 midfielder Sebastián Pérez from Atlético Nacional this summer – many fans saw Perez as a replacement for Frimpong and Coquelin, though a counter-argument would say that had Perez gained a work permit and signed, then Flamini would not have returned.
A loan move this season may be perfect for Coquelin in order to gain more invaluable first-team experience, though this is likely to be his last loan spell away from Arsenal. It really is make-or-break for the 22 year-old now – if by at the end of the season he has failed to impress, he will probably either leave Arsenal permanently. But maybe, Arsenal do have a gem on their hands…
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Photo by wonker