Wenger talks Abou Coq + French winger linked

Arsene Wenger has praised Francis Coquelin growing stature at Arsenal paying particular tribute to the young Frenchman’s ball-winning qualities.

The 21-year-old, who signed a new deal at the club this time last year, has epitomised what it means to be a squad player at the Emirates making only two starts in the Premier League this term but appearing in some capacity in almost every cup game both domestic and European.

Effectively to be Mikel Arteta’s understudy alongside Emmanuel Frimpong, Wenger underlined how the defensive midfielder has improved since returning from a loan spell at Lorient in 2010/11.

“What Coquelin is doing is quite good,” the boss told Arsenal Player. “His qualities help the team to defend better. He has that ability to fly into people and win the ball back, and that’s something important.

“I believe that there’s an important stage once a player reaches 19 years of age and is not a regular player at Arsenal. [You must] get him somewhere to gain experience.

“It has two advantages. It lifts the potential of the player, gives him experience at the top level and convinces him that he has a chance to be successful.

“When the player comes back, he has experience and knowledge and you don’t have to suffer for the mistakes of a beginner. It gives you more comfort to play him. I never felt that it was finished for him here. I always thought that that’s a learning process of the top level.

“When these players come in, they are always judged on one game. We forget that we have seen Diaby and Song at 20 having difficult games.”

Of course, for Diaby these days it’s not so much the games that have proved difficult but reaching the level of fitness needed to actually get picked. Obviously saddened by the fitness problems suffered by the 26-year-old, Wenger outlined why he’s so compelled to be patient with his compatriot.

“He is a very conscientious guy. You should see how he works, how he is focused every day, because when a guy suffers as much as he did he becomes very professional, very rigorous.

“You have some guys who can drink five beers, come to training, and play and go home and nothing happens to them. And you have other guys who have to look after everything. They become very professional very early in life. And he has always been very conscientious.

“Diaby has a very serious life, he doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t go out, and is very conscientious in training. So you always feel sorry for him, so you always touch wood it will go well for him. Honestly, what he has gone through is unbelievable.”

Having described Diaby on Thursday as ‘an important piece of the puzzle’ at Arsenal, the boss further detailed the lanky midfielder’s qualities.

“He can defend, he can attack, he is strong in the challenge. He can dribble, he can pass players. He is very quick in the transition. He can quickly cross the pitch when you win the ball. And he is good in the air and he is a fighter with great stamina.

“If you love football and you see a player like Abou, you want him to have the career he deserves, especially when he has the attitude that he has. You have to have patience. Because what did he do wrong? Nothing. You have to give him a chance.”

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In other news, and much like last year when we signed only Thomas Eisfeld, it’s very quiet on the transfer front. That being said a new name has been thrown into the hat as a possible acquisition. Super, top, awesome, killer quality you ask?

* tumbleweed *

French football correspondents Matt Spiro and Ben Lyttleton relay a report from L’Equipe claiming we’ve bid €5 million for 19-year-old winger, Florian Thauvin, who is currently contracted to French Ligue 2 side Bastia. Newcastle are also reportedly sniffing around. Perhaps he’s actually worth a lot more but we’ve conned them into a swap deal for Squillaci?

Who knows…