Francis Coquelin: I also have a dream
On Boxing Day, I got to go to my first live Arsenal game at The Emirates in 6 years. (Steve lives in Oz.)
The recall was a surprise, but necessary due to injuries & not wholly to the players liking.
At the time The Coq made his displeasure known;
“I wasn’t happy when I came back. I was playing regularly, even if it was in the Championship and obviously to be back on the bench was frustrating.”
Then came Le Coq’s big break, out of the blue he was in the starting 11 and so started his amazing run and team changing performances.
Coq back v Hammers and out Songing Song!
Since the ‘ammers, Le Coq has appeared in 25 out of 26 games, winning 20 of them, securing 3rd place in the league, reaching back to back FA Cup finals and so nearly achieving the great escape in Southern France.
Along the way, Le Coq has received critical acclaim, a number of MoM’s and whispers of a call up to the French National squad.
Not bad for a player who, according to Wenger, “Was not in his plans at the start of the season.”
Arsene summed Le Coq’s emergence perfectly;
“If we had bought Coquelin at Christmas for £40m, everyone would say ‘What a signing.’ I am sorry he didn’t cost any money, he is still a very good player.”
Better than a new signing?
He now has a new contract, his name in the first 3 on the team sheet and talk of players coming in to cover, not replace him.
Le Coq was given his unexpected chance and he has grabbed it with both hands & now he wants more.
“I want to win trophies with this club. We have got a good chance next week to get a trophy – a first trophy for me. I have been here since I was 17. If I could stay here all my career I would love it, too. This is the dream.”
Francis Coquelin – The Player that changed a season
The player who changed Arsenal Season,
The Far Sides View’s, Player of the Season.
English by birth, Australian by choice. Traffic Engineer, Arsenal ST Holder, Sun DreamTeam Winner, Writer on @GunnersTown, Depeche Mode, Welcome to my world…
I would not have put it any better, Coq has been a breath of fresh air. He has played well and i guess the dilemma comes up during the transfer period of getting someone to be on the bench or replace him. He is good and i have been very impressed with his contributions to the team. He can still improve on his passing but i guess that is something that can come with time, plus it is not easy when one plays along side Santi, Ozil,Ramsey who have an eye for a good pass. I believe the team has done well since the turn of the year, but as Arsenal fans is this not the thing we say year in year out? I would not want to sound like Piers Morgan but we have seen how the teams around us are, there is no room for slacking, we need to kick start next season on high and be consistent as the boss likes to say more often than not. I will miss the Arsenal play but i can not wait for the wembly showdown, i think we will win it and it will be comfortable. COYG