Stade Lavallois's Coquelin Completes Arsenal Trial

With the domestic season drawing to a close all across Europe, managers and coaches are scouring the market for players to improve there squads for the next campaign.

Whilst Arsene Wenger is currently busy eyeing up deals for players which will feature in his squad immediately. Behind the scenes the Reserves and Youth coaching staff are planning their squads for the forthcoming season, with players set to be informed on who will be staying, and who will be going next month.

Over recent weeks Young Guns has exclusively revealed we have had Nikos Karelis, and Sean McDermott on trial with the club, with the pair both featuring during the Atalanta Cup win. We can also reveal that French Under 17 international Francis Coquelin has been put through his paces by the Arsenal coaching staff and was particularly impressive.

Coquelin is a rugged, strong, aggressive defensive midfielder. Blessed with a super passing range as well as all the combative qualities you would expect from a holding central player. He plys his trade for Stade Lavallois and has already featured on various occasions for the Reserves, after being promoted from the Under 18s.

Francis is in the style of Claude Makélélé, but on lookers have also made comparisons with Mathieu Flamini, due to his aggressive and no nonsense style. Shortly before his trial France coach Francis Smerecki included Coquelin in his squad for the Under 17 European Championships, but a thigh strain during his time in London ended his chances of competing.

Gilles Sunu was included and is in action this evening in the semi-final against Turkey, while Oguzhan Ozyakup is also in action against Spain in the other game. Check back later tonight for full reports on both fixtures.

Article By – J.Sanderson

33 thoughts on “Stade Lavallois's Coquelin Completes Arsenal Trial

  • May 13, 2008 at 12:55 pm
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    are we likely to snap these up J

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  • May 13, 2008 at 12:56 pm
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    i doubt we will sign Karelis, maybe McDermott but we are very keen on Coquelin.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 1:12 pm
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    Have you any info on who will be definately released and who will be offered contracts?

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  • May 13, 2008 at 1:19 pm
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    mcdermott wont join before next summer at the earliest as he wants to finish primary school.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 2:12 pm
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    Thigh strain. The dreaded thigh strain. The injury that plagued Henry towards the end of his Gunner days, and is currently inhabitting RvP.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 2:19 pm
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    I wouldnt read too much into it man, he is young his body is developing and changing all the time, its common young players get injuries.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 2:40 pm
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    McDermott and Coquelin could be great for the reserves and maybe the first team in the carling cup next season

    join soccerfanbase.com for the best of soccer discussion

    J.I hope I am not seeing as a spam

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  • May 13, 2008 at 3:28 pm
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    Sanderson what you link of Gervinho being linked with us. Surely he wouldnt be first team material straight off

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  • May 13, 2008 at 3:51 pm
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    For me these guys need loans/sales
    Simpson to Wigan/Derby.
    Senderos to Rangers, Try SPL/Sale
    Barazite- Ajax Loan
    Fonte- sale
    Gilbert-Sale
    Hoytes- Sale
    Rodgers-Sale
    Mannone- Loan
    Merida-Loan to Derby/Wigan
    V.Berg-Release
    Ogoggo- Release

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  • May 13, 2008 at 3:56 pm
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    Would imagine he would be mate, we only have Under 19 players in the Reserves,

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  • May 13, 2008 at 3:59 pm
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    Reserves and their potential faith in 2008.

    Do you think my assesment is fair/accurate J?

    Vito Mannone-Loan
    Wojciech Szczesny- Keep
    James Shea- Release
    Charlie Mann- Keep
    Defenders
    Havard Nordtveit (C)- Carling Cup
    Gavin Hoyte-
    Paul Rodgers- Loan/sell
    Abu Ogogo-Loan/Sell
    Kerrea Gilbert-Sell
    Anton Blackwood-Sell
    Rene Steer-Release
    Kyle Bartley-Keep
    Luke Ayling-Keep
    Cedric Evina-Keep
    Oliver Nicholas-Keep
    Rhema Obed-?
    Sam Byles-?
    Ignasi Miquel-Newbie
    Midfielders

    Mark Randall-First team
    Fran Merida Perez-Loan
    Kieran Gibbs-First team /Keep
    James Dunne- Sell
    Henri Lansbury-Keep
    Thomas Cruise-Keep
    Jack Wilshere-First Team
    Craig Eastmond- Release
    Jay Emmanuel-Thomas-Keep/Loan
    Oguzhan Özyakup-Newbie
    Conor Henderson-Keep
    Emmanuel Frimpong-Keep
    Chuks Aneke-Keep
    Jonas Hebo Rasmussen-Loan/Sell
    Rorie Deacon-Keep
    Pedro Botelho-Loan

    Forwards
    Sanchez Watt-Release/Sell
    Jason Banton-Keep
    Jay Simpson-Sell/Loan
    Vincent Van Den Berg-Goner
    Carlos Vela-First team
    Nacer Barazite-First team /Loan
    Gilles Sunu-Keep
    Rui Fonte-Release?
    Rhys Murphy-Keep-Loan
    Luke FreemanKeep
    Benik Afobe-Keep

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  • May 13, 2008 at 4:05 pm
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    I think watt will stay and arent QPR interested in simpson

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  • May 13, 2008 at 4:28 pm
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    I’d be surprised if Watt was released. Doesn’t Fonte have another year on his contract? If he does I expect to him to see that out at least.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 6:01 pm
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    It’s not realistic that we should sell/realese almöst half of our defencesquad.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 6:26 pm
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    Thats a good point mrjustice although you never know who might come in or is ready for promotion. Didn’t spot loan/sell by Rodgers before, don’t think hes going anywhere. Also theres nothing by Gavin Hoyte, I expect him to be a reserves mainstay myself.

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  • May 13, 2008 at 7:06 pm
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    What happened with Karelis,…. why do you think he wont join us? I thought he had a good showing in the Atlanta tournament

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  • May 13, 2008 at 7:45 pm
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    He worked hard, scored a couple of goals, but the coaching staff did not fancy buying him. He looked over weight, and we will not invest time or money if we are not 100% sure

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  • May 13, 2008 at 8:02 pm
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    how many youngster do you think will be trialed in the close season?!

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  • May 13, 2008 at 8:07 pm
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    How long is a piece of string?

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  • May 13, 2008 at 8:21 pm
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    as long as arsene says it should be!

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  • May 13, 2008 at 8:54 pm
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    Merida and Barazite will be in a difficult situation next season, kind of like Denilson this year. They are way too good for the Reserves but still look short of making it into the First 16 with the first team. Or how is it? Can we name 18 players next season?

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  • May 13, 2008 at 9:28 pm
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    do you know anything about the rumour linking us to aaron ramsey?

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  • May 13, 2008 at 11:01 pm
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    Yes, i will exchange links with you, and add it on my blog roll over there >>>>

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  • May 14, 2008 at 6:49 am
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    will this guy go into the reserves – how old is he? and do we really need another cdm with eastmond, landsbury, samir, and alex witham

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  • May 19, 2008 at 9:45 pm
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    Ha, the Daily Mail have just stolen your story, they’ve added that we’re looking at him along with Aquilani and Nasri

    Reply
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