Francis Coquelin says committing his future to Arsenal was not a difficult decision after putting pen-to-paper on a three year extension at the Emirates.
The French midfielder has been a revelation in the centre of the park since returning from a short loan spell at Charlton in December, helping the Gunners to five successive wins since the defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day.
Reflecting on his new deal Coquelin told Arsenal Player that London Colney is like a second home after seven years on the books at Arsenal.
“I’m really pleased, I’ve been here since 2008 so it feels like a second home for me. It wasn’t really a tough decision, I have been here long enough and I know everyone here.
“Everyone makes me feel good every day, and hopefully there will be more good years to come as well.
“This is what is magic about football: one day you are unknown and the next day you are a bit bigger. I think the most important thing is to stay the same as I have been doing for the last few years.
“If I stay the same I am not worried, I know I can help the team and hopefully I can do that in the coming years.”
Coquelin’s progress comes with the full backing of his teammates with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain paying tribute to the 23-year-old’s patience and compatriot Laurent Koscielny hailing his quality.
“I’ve known him for a long time and knew that he has the quality to play for Arsenal,” Koscielny told Arsenal Player. “Now he is ready in his head and you can see that he’s played four or five games and he’s very important because we are stronger in defence.
“He cuts out little balls in front of us and after he has the quality technically to give some good passes for players like Santi [Cazorla], Mesut [Ozil] or Theo [Walcott].”
Our Coq, always cutting out little balls…
Arsenal is maybe his second home, but your mom is his first.
I found myself genuinely perplexed on whether to up- or down-vote this comment
Depends what type of relationship you have with your ‘mom’ I guess.
You know what they say, a game for all the family.
Felt like I was on reddit. Still upvoted.
My momma, she so fat, I can’t see the TV cos she got it surrounded.
Are Arsenal any good? I ain’t seen ’em yet.
The Coq said the Arse is his second home *cough*
Get out
That joke is so bad I’d red card you…
Progress isn’t a straight line, it is a series of plateaus then leaps forward.
I’m glad we’re seeing him leap forward, though be prepared for the plateaus and (sometimes) dips. Until the next leap forward.
Starting to really love this guy
‘I think the most important thing is to stay the same as I have been doing for the last few years.’…or give improvement some consideration, that would be nice also.
Vive Le Coq!
I believe he meant it in terms of mental attitude. Wouldn’t want a Nasri/vanPersie/Song repeat, would we.
I think he’s talking in terms of ego, or lack thereof. At least I hope that’s what it is…
Stand on their balls on Saturday Coq.
Sign another CB to increase squad depth – check.
find that solid DM player we’ve been missing (and give him a contact extension) – check.
The pieces are all coming together nicely and the future is certainly looking bright.
A Coq extension is most welcome.
Does Koscielny call his teammates by first and last name in all situations? I hope so.
Nevermind. Just watched the interview on Player. Pulled a bit of a Daily Mail there.
Now that the Coq has gotten an extension, all we nooed is for it to get bigger.
With every performance our Coq gets a bit bigger. Here’s to the following years.
Moral of Coquelin’s story is that hardwork and patience does pay off. Good on the lad.
stewie griffin runs from no man
That’s what I thought. Cheers
Hopefully he keeps his motivation levels up. I find it a bit suspicious that he started playing so well just before his contract expires.
You seem to desperately want to take over Fat gooner’s place. Enough with the doom and gloom already
He never really played badly to be fair to him. He’s always been one to get stuck in and put in the effort. It just seems now he has matured and developed that sense of responsibility and self restraint when it comes to his decision making.
You have to give the Coq a hand, he’s really exploded and come into his own.
I didn’t only thumb up that last sentence, I stood up from my seat and and gave it a slow clap! One of the more clever Coq puns on this forum.
I <3 Coq.
Good for the gunners! Now lets do Totts tomorrow. Unfortunately I won’t be able to watch the game. So friends whoever is watching live please support with lots of gusto. COYG!! Le Coq and BFG to score hat tricks…
I don’t want this week to end; so many good news and glad tidings. Now imagine a spud smash at White shite lane? Oh goody goody!
Really? Waiting for a positive comment from you, priest..
the coq is so versatile, it can be used in so many ways! i meant the word ‘coq’, not the man we’ve named as le coq. by the way, what would be le coq’s song from arsenal fans? bring on the coq? wenger let your (the) coq out? who let the coq out?
one Coq, we’ve only got one Coq…..
Suuper, super coq…
Coq Block, Coq Block..
Watcha gonna do?
Watcha gonna do when we coq block you?
Let’s just hope rewarding him with a contract extension doesn’t give our Coq a swollen head.
My favourite of Coq’s skills is his cheeky little ball over the top.
“If your extension lasts longer than 3 years consult your doctor.”
Just watch the 2 footed challenges and the anger after receiving a foul call. We don’t need you banned; you are too important right now!
With Coq and the young Pole signed, I believe this spells the end for Mr. Flamini at Arsenal.
Who’s next to sign? Walcott?
A bit early to put “the young Pole” ahead of Flamini, isn’t it? I hope you’re right eventually, but there’s no reason to expect that level of performance from the boy just yet.
It’s more the case that while we have Arteta and Coq, plus another in the sumer, Bielik is a better 4th option than Flamini, considering the postential upside.
Walcott and Bellerin!
Come on coq smash the cocks all over shite hart lane
Great news.
Who would have thought he’d be signing a new deal. He was a foot out of the door at start of the season.
Goes to show you should never write anyone off just yet.
A lot of negativity around Sanogo, Jack and Campbell, plenty of early pronouncements that they don’t have a future with us.
They are all still young.
Lets see how they develop.
He’s cum out of nowhere
Whisper it but there’s been a monumental improvement in the way we do business and the feel of the club in the last 18 months or so.
In the climate of 2 years ago coq and akpom would have walked as free agents
Long may it continue.
If Walcott decides to play silly buggers with his contract I say let him walk, there’s other bigger fish in the sea
No doubt the new contract will include an improved salary – I’m sure Coq will very much enjoy getting a rise.