Francis Coquelin is long since earned a reputation as a highly rated defensive midfielder. His ability to protect his back four is summed up by the fact he has failed to have a single shot on target during his time in Ligue One with Lorient.
However, the Frenchman did register his first effort on target today, and scored, as Lorient beat Rennes 2-1. It was his first goal in professional football.
You can watch Francis’ strike here.
He didn’t play as DM in this game it was more of a defensive right midfielder.
I personally think he needs at least another season in top flight before he comes into Arsenal first team
i wouldnt say not having any shots means hes a good defender
Plus that wasn’t even a shot anyway.
J.,
http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.uk/2011/04/arsenal-beat-chelsea-to-poach-another-barcelona-wonderkid
Talk to us Jamie. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHKq7NGzLIg
Not that there is a Coquelin vs Frimpong debate but I am very much on Team Bleu. I just think Coquelin has more to offer in terms of technical ability and versatility. For Lorient this season he has played defensive midfield, right midfield and right back.
Plus playing under Christian Gourcuff will only help Coquelin improve tactically. And judging by Gourcuff’s comments in the official Arsenal magazine he has come on leaps and bounds.
And unfortunately for Frimpong he has spent the last two season on the treatment table while Coquelin has been able to spend this season getting vital first team experience at Lorient.
Congratulations to him. Wishing him more to come
i like his pace/urgency something the arsenal midfield has been crying for.bring it on the epic battle btn coquelin/frimpong/lansbury. but 4 me both coquelin and frimpong are useful 4 different games against bruisers like stoke/birmingham/chelsea we play frimpong and against pacy/athletic teams like spurs/manu/westbrom we play coquelin.all the same a good problem to have.
Am i right in thinking next season is ACN? If so and Frimpong is fortunate enough to get picked for Ghana, we could be in a very tricky position what with Song likely to be missing too. Therefore, i think we should consider this when deciding on Coquelin, Frimpong and any potential new signing. Personally i would say Frimpong could do with a loan period, so lets sign Scott Parker (who would prefer CL football to Championship what with just breaking into the England squad) loan out Frimpong for a season and retain Coquelin as back up for when Song leaves for ACN. Oh and sell Denilson to help pay for Parker. Parker, Wilshere and Fabregas what a midfield, with Song Nasri and Ramsey as a 2nd choice 3 and Coquelin, Lansbury and Diaby as further back up. Obviously if Samir doesnt sign a new contract, we could take Sneider and ??m in p/ex. Sorry drifting off topic, I think Coquelin has proved his worth and if we have the line up suggested we could give him a short PL loan spell in August for 3 months just to see if he is ready.
i think people are expecting too much of frimpong maybe out of desperation but right now he has alot of work to do b4 he can earn a place in the first team.maybe a loan spell to a championship club till jan and then he can go on loan to a pl club in the new year,that’s if hes impressive in the championship.
Coquelin has to play for us next season.
Him and frimpong will come in handy, but i agree with bc, we should sign scott parker.
Good news coquelin scores, i will like to see him in the first team next season i always know he is a good player with fantastic technical ability as for signing parker unless wenger is ready to get rid of diaby, denison, rosicky and with the young midfielders coming from loan to the first team i don’t think it will happen.
When is the match on? The first dallas cup one i mean.
Not a very great goal but important for his confidence nonetheless. Hopefully both Frimpong and Coquelin will be in the first team next season. But we need an experienced DM to take the burden of Song who plays all games if available. My dream signing would had been van Bommel but he signed new contract with Milan unfortunatly, Scott Parker would be good choice instead. With Coquelin and Frimpong in the team we could finally sell the worthless Denilson. Lansbury should be given the chance too.
It was actually a great goal mate. A DM effectively doing what strikers (except Arsenal ones) are taught to do with aplomb. And look, it actually meant that Lorient took all three points! Francis gambled and it paid off handsomely for him and his team-mates. Maybe the current Arsenal first team squad should be shown that 10 sec clip of Coquelin’s goal. Maybe then, we may see some urgency and determination rather than what we’ve now become accustomed to…maybe, just maybe.
Coquelin is very talented but is he ready to win trophies? Don’t think he is there yet. Maybe as a squad player. We need to start thinking like ManU. They have players like Gibson, O’Shea, Wes Brown, etc… who aren’t regular starters but are versatile and play well when called on. We need depth. It seems like Nasri, Cesc and some others are running on tired legs. Let’s get depth in the squad, rotate them and hopefully everyone gets rest this summer.
I really don’t think this squad is far off from being champions. We need Vermaelen to get healthy and either Bartley to get in the squad or go buy a big burly CB and for me that is about it. Maybe bring in Eden Hazzard or bring back Pedro Botelho from loan to push Arshavin.