Francis Coquelin has confirmed he rejected a second spell at Ligue 1 side Lorient before opting to sign for Freiburg this summer.
The French under-21 international, who will spend the season on loan with the Bundesliga outfit, also revealed he’s not thinking about his long-term future at Arsenal despite the club signing two new midfielders in his absence.
Speaking to France Football (translation by Football 365) magazine, the 22-year-old said:
“I had the opportunity to join Lorient in the summer and I thought about it but finally I chose Freiburg because I wanted to discover something new.
“My future? I am only focused on Freiburg so far. I put Arsenal aside. My priority is to play as often as possible.”
Having enjoyed a fruitful spell under the guidance of Christian Gourcuff three years ago, Coquelin emphasised that it was his decision to go in search of first team football after injuries plagued him last term.
“At first, I expressed my need to play more often to Arsene Wenger and to play a whole season,” he continued.
“Last season was difficult notably due to injuries that stopped my impetus. Wenger was very comprehensive. I wanted to discover a new league and the Freiburg’s officials’ words attracted me.”
Such are Arsene Wenger’s midfield options these days it’s going to be very difficult for the Coq to squeeze into the first team when he returns to the Emirates.
While the likes of Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Frimpong and even Tomas Rosicky might leave in eight months time there are still four players (Arteta, Wilshere, Ramsey and Flamini) who can fill the defensive midfield role.
Arseblog News doesn’t want to say the Coq’s Arse days are numbered but it’s hard to see it any other way right now.
Can we just take him back and fill him in defence sometimes? I’d like to keep our Coq.
The coq likes to be in the middle not defence. coq in arses middle…
with the right amount of motivation at freiburg the coq can be enormous, come back to Arse and fit right in.
Keep the puns cumming…
…sorry 🙁
I hope Coq comes on back to the Arse
If only the Coq could play in the hole!
Ah, I’ve missed the way you subtly slip le Coq into your articles.
arse-ticles?
Subtly?
I hope he doesn’t get injured , woudn’t want the headline ‘Coq out for three weeks’ or ‘Coq won’t be fit to face Young Boys’
Or Freiburg Manager forced to withdraw Coq due to groin niggles
I used to enjoy Arsene getting the Coq out at the Emirates, but I think we’ll have find someone else to plug that gap in the squad.
Let the puns begin
“the Coq’s Arse days are numbered.”
HAH brilliant!
seems Arse gets by just fine without a Coq in the middle
I know, you could really ruin an Arse by trying to force a Coq into it where there’s no space.
@j*ckj*ckj*ck
HAHAHAHAHA
Best one so far.
it may also damage the Coq somewhat also…apologies had to have a go
Ouch!
yes, things can get shitty when that happens
Well, all the best to him. He showed glimpses of becoming a quality all-action DM in the few games he played for the Arse and I’m sure Wenger will keep an eye on him. He could come back to help us push on in the future once he’s gained the necessary experience.
We can’t let players like Sagna and Rosicky leave. We need experienced players like them. Having to many youngsters was our undoing in the previous years.
Exactly. There’s no reason why they can’t stick around and finish their careers here. In the old days we had Adams and Keown, and Parlour and Bergkamp, to advise the kids coming through and let them know what it is to be an Arsenal Player. And look at Giggs and Scholes at Man United (probably better you don’t actually look at them though – they hurt mine eyes); players of the quality of Sagna and Tomas can adapt and become invaluable members of the squad as they get older.
way to ruin the coq-fest, man
well i thought B52s days in red and white were numbered as well…. oh….
If the coq develops well in freiburg he might be think he’s too big for Arse.
Coq not thinking about Arse? That’s a bitter pill to swallow.
..Hard to swallow.
These Coq gags need to stop, they are getting too hard to swallow….
Why TR7? In 8 months or did u mean 8 years? The guy is equally as important to this team as cazorla is. He must retire with us..
I’m sure Wenger likes Coq….but he just can’t fit him in. He likes to put Arteta in there sometimes with Jack in the hole. I don’t think there’ll be a second coming for Coq.
“I don’t think there’ll be a second coming for Coq”
Long day, he’s tired, etc etc.
To be honest he did put in a shift everytime he was called upon. Okay he did limp around more than any other Arsenal player when cgot fouled upon but he did the job.
Anyways you go frei them Coq.
I see Coq as our future Flamini, very similar type of player. I hope he will do well at Freiburg and come back stronger than ever!
Limp coq?
Maybe he’s the new Pele!
Limp coq?
Maybe he’s the new Pele!
the Coq just wants to play more, its understandable. If he just wanted to do fuk all and collect a pay check he’d be a twat, and we’ve had too many of those lately. Its better that our Coq isn’t a twat.
Just as well, they call them hermaphrodite’s.
Take a look at what you’ve created Andy.
just imagine for a second how impressive the coq must’ve looked in front of the big f’n German.
Arseblog! Damian! This is not about arse or Coq, but about dthrink! Bourbon cocktails in Noo Yawk?
Sure thing, dude. But don’t forget dry martinis, gin fizz, bullshots (one tragedy of life, I’ve never tasted one), southern comforts with mixers, Polish white spirit mixed with bootleg whisky etc etc. Bootleg whisky freely available in Queens, just ask Blind Pig denizens (even if they support Scum) where.