Francis Coquelin says Arsenal must stay consistent in the final 10 games of the season after a hard fought three points at Loftus Road ensured Arsene Wenger’s squad retained third place in the Premier League standings.
Second half goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez were enough to put Queens Park Rangers to the sword but with all the sides in the top seven securing victories, the gap between the sides challenging for Champions League football remains tight.
Speaking to the BBC after the match Coquelin admitted that Charlie Austin’s late strike was further evidence that sides can never take anything for granted, even when games look won.
“It was a massive win, especially with the battle up front [in the league]. I think every team is winning up there so we need to keep going and be consistent. Tonight was a tough game and we’re really happy to get the three points.
“The first half they put a lot of pressure on us. The second half we managed to get the ball down and play our football. We scored two great goals and could have scored a third. Obviously we didn’t do that and then we were under pressure. At the end I think everyonee was fighting and the main thing was getting the three points.
“In the Premier League it’s always like that, a goal can come from anywhere. You think you’re in possession of the game and suddenly you concede. Every game is tough. It’s really important to stay consistent in the league and now we can focus on Monday and playing Manchester United [in the FA Cup].”
Having broken his nose in the win against Everton on Sunday, Coquelin played in a protective mask to shield him from further damage.
“The first couple of headers you need to get out of the way and once that’s done you just go with it,” said the Frenchman.
“It’s okay [to see], the doc and all the medical staff have done a great job with the mask. The nose is good, it’s still a bit swollen but it’s getting better.”
What a find Coq has been for us, commited and consistent in equal measure. Its scary to think what the defensive side of our midfield would look like without him… Keep it up!!!
I totally agree with what you’re saying, I think he’s been an inspired inclusion and has obviously taken his chance with both hands. I do still worry if he is this world class DM we’ve needed for so long and hope we still persue alternatives in the summer. When you look at the job Matic does at Chelsea and Yaya at City and how vital they are for their respective clubs, I am slightly sceptical as whether or not Coq has the ability to do likewise and in the modern game, that ball winning and ball playing DM can make… Read more »
Yaya Toure? They miss his box-to-box qualities – he’s far from a defensive midfielder.
World class is a loose term these days. If Coq gets the job done, that’s all that matters. And I think he is doing it well. Great teams defend as one. Who is the world class DM in Barca for example; Sergio Busquets or Mascherano who now plays CB mainly? How about Real? No stand out DM there. The point I am making is that no matter how good an individual is, he needs the team. Put Matic in Burnley and they would still battle with relegation. The summary of what I am saying is that Coq is doing a… Read more »
Maybe I mean more that we are only as strong as our weakest link and teams like Barca don’t really have weak links. If you looked at our squad on paper, you may feel that we are short of real quality in the defensive midfield role. Or maybe not quality so much as a specialist player for that position. God knows, Wenger has tried most of the squad playing there!
If you are saying that Coquelin is not a “specialist player” at DM then you’re blind. He sits and shields. He’s Matic without the hype or height. Appreciate what he is and you’ll be happier.
hmm, is this maybe conflating the box-to-box CM with the holding role? There is an extremely short list of players who have been entrusted with holding. In the last couple of seasons it’s been Arteta > now Coquelin > Flamini. In the rare instance that all 3 are unavailable, emergency fill is Chambers, Wilshere/Ramsey, Rosicky. Loads of players play CM from time to time: Ramsey & Wilshere primarily, but they’re always injured so we see Cazorla right now, Ox, Flamini (played quite a bit there late last season w/ Arteta holding), Rosicky, Coquelin, and even a rare glimpse of Arteta… Read more »
I think the lad has shown character and real guts to grab his chance when it finally came – remember how many seasons he almost had a look-in only to be shunted sidewise…
And though our Coq is only 6ft… he has revealed enormous balls in recent weeks/months!
And now that I think about it… 6ft is more than enough Coq to make a stand.
Busquets is the best DM in the world(yes even better than matic). Mascherano IS a world class DM too. Both are very versatile as well.
Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to get their brain checked.
No stand out DM at Real Madrid? They used to have Xabi Alonso, and they just recently signed Lucas Silva, a fantastic ‘passing’ DM whom they signed from Cruzeiro.
Arsenal was linked with him too.
Even before they signed Silva, they spent BIG money on signing a DM from Real Sociedad: ‘Ilarra’ or Asier Ilarramendi.
At that time the largest amount of money Real Madrid had ever spent on a Spanish player.
So basically you are wrong wrong wrong.
I think you the nail on the head gradually getting there it takes time to rebuild we had sold so many players with financial restrictions and without a doubt two summers from now we could be amazing again with strength in depth everywhere.
agree we’re not a great team
And you are a shit ‘supporter’, ‘fan’… Nothing supportive from your support. If you have no constructive criticism or analysis to make then don’t comment, same goes to your pal, Trez.
My only concern with the Coq is his small size and modest strenght. In physical duels, like most of our team, he is found a little wanting going up against types like Rooney, Toure, Bony or Giroud, hehe. Our team is allready among the shortest and lightest in the league, and the DM position I feel is a natural position to balance the books with some more height and power. Types like Wanyama, Sissoko, Carvalho etc. Im not saying any of those mentioned are better than the Coq, but in the long run I think we definetely need to balance… Read more »
Ask you girlfriend about my small sized, modest strength Coq. Don’t talk about my Coq like that.
Sure, I’d like a bit more size in the middle of the field, but Coquelin’s anticipation and quickness have gotten us some timely interventions. Per, Kos, Debuchy, and occasionally Monreal have shown an ability to go up and win headers, so having someone who can keep up with pacey wingers and guide attacks to safer areas is great. The one part that was bad was when he got turned by Austin right outside our box – he over committed and let Austin get back to his right foot, baaad play. Schneiderlin will give you more in terms of passing, but… Read more »
Small size and modest strength?
I guess Roy Keane, Makalele, Mascherano, Hargreaves, Gattuso, Cambiasso and Senna didn’t read the script.
And Edgar Davids; boy was he small and ineffective.
How tall was Genaro Gatuso?
Statistically, Coq is the best defensive player in the league right now in terms of interceptions, tackles and duels per minute. Yaya Toure is not a defensive midfielder. Matic is more of a complete player. But we don’t need Coq to create anything – just destroy.
That said, if we partner him with Schneiderlin, that would be quite a solid midfield.
It would also be a very defensive midfield, and we prefer to attack. The emergence of Coquelin as a star DM is what has allowed our old 4-2-3-1 to change into a 4-1-4-1 that actually works.
Either Coquelin or Schneiderlin would work well in that role, but we don’t need both of them on at once unless we’re either protecting a slim lead late on, or playing someone like Barcelona away.
Both Schneiderlin and Le Coq aren’t bad going forwards.
Morgan can take FKs and corners and contributes with the odd goal, and Coq can dribble and penetrate very well, he had a couple of runs vs QPR.
I’d prefer the Coq to stay in his hole. If he gets ideas that he is more than a DM he will be like Ramsey has been at times, stranded downfield as the oppo score.
He is doing perfectly doing what he does, give it to someone with more skill and sit back.
Coq not as physical to some of our likings has his own strengths.. He is fast, can hold the ball well, can run with the ball, make decent passes, reads the game well and knows where he should be and last but not least his amazing tackles. I think if at all we buy a “world class DM” then our coq would be just the player to start along with him. Especially in our difficult games home or away. They can provide a solid platform for defence while freeing the likes of Cazorla, Sánchez, Özil and others to do their… Read more »
Yes it could be said the missing link, so far this season. The team is more balanced less makeshift and more effective with the Coq in the middle of the park, imo.
Couldn’t care less if players are world class or not.
Are they good enough, should be the question. Coquelin certainly is. If we can find better, then we should do it, one injury or suspension and we rely on flamini again.
I think at a team like Arsenal, we need a little more than ‘get the job done’. Tom Huddlestone gets the job done.
No, he really doesn’t.
Surely it depends what job… Huddle stone gets the important job done of being quite shit
So in essence he’s their Flamini?
The job Spurs have in mind is to maybe make the top four sometime in the next decade. The job Arsenal have in mind is to compete for the title and the CL. Hundredstone can’t even fulfil the first, never mind the second.
you’re wrong, the job arsenal have in mind is not to compete for the title…you like to think so…but continue with the delusional rhetoric…our no1 priority is always to qualify for champions league
like how flamini and arteta also gets the job done
You jest, surely? Huddlestone?; never, not for AFC.
I agree, the need for a new midfielder is not as big of a problem. If we can improve in the offseason, where does everyone think we should improve?
Phantom of the Coquelin!
Reverse Batman
I had a Phantom of the Coq once, only time I ever let a priest near my Francis.
Phantom of the Coquera, no?
There are two jokes/puns on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t finish them – please help?
One involves Walcott and his consistent in patches comment, the other involves Coq and Zorro.
Every once in a while Le Coq must protect itself..condomise
The best LANS in a while,got an opportunity true injuries and took it by the scruff of the neck,keep up the good work lad
gLANS? *gets coat*
And that’s why I come here. I could tell that joke to the next hundred people I meet and they would never get it. Good on ya.
Arsene’s battered Coq still able to produce the goods.
I love the Coq but he doesn’t speak very good English – “At the end I think every was fighting and we the main thing was getting the three points.”
Better than my french…
por favor…
Por favor no es francés
I was trying to be funny with a little bit of sarcasm…
never mind…
S’il vous plait, you meant to write?
—– joke —->
Your Head
never knew he was here to give interviews…
Because clearly he is here to teach us all the correct form of English. The Coq has better things to do.
Luckily, there’s always something to complain about at the Arsenal.
Let me guess … you’re trying to set a record for the worst-rated comment of the day? You’ve got a bit of competition from the usual haters, but so far you’re doing well. It’s difficult to come across as condescending, racist, irrelevant, and stupid all in just one sentence, but you managed.
what did he say that was racist?? Agree that he is a bit of a knob but think you need to turn your sensitivity levels down a good bit
Even our Coq needs protection sometimes.
I knew Football Manager wouldn’t be wrong about our Coq.
*Might be fibbing a teeny bit.
Unfortunately, seems some people regard players as a world class only if we bought them from some French, Spanish or German club for 20plus million pound…
Recently, I’ve been imagining Pogba and Coquelin playing together for us next season. It may not be the real world, but it does feel rather nice.
I dunno, a lot of the big teams are constrained by FFP, Barca can’t buy anyone and Juve can’t keep him, plus he’s French. It’s possible.
It would almost certainly see someone else on their way out of the club, especially if we get Schneiderlin too, but I’d be willing to take that hit.
If we get Pogba, we sure as hell don’t need Schneiderlin.
Great sign to see our Coq wearing protection against dirty cunts, especially against those MU cunts.
Finally our Coq wore protection. He’s doing a great job and arguably the best DM in the league at the moment
Wenger said something about Coq trying to be both a creative and defensive player and him finally realizing he’s best at defensive actions. I found that interesting because i remember Coq as a fast and slightly skillful player who could play on the wings.
These days he keeps things simple; though sometimes i wish he could express himself once in a while on the ball.
I remember that too. Back in the day, he was another of the dozen or so attacking central mids we had who could never get into the squad. I’m glad he’s realized where his real talents lie and is putting them to such fine use. Best LANS of the season, for any team in the PL.
Didn’t he play more DM like at youth level? I seem to remember him coming in as one, could be wrong though as you tend to pay less attention to ‘Arsnal sign young Frenchman’ stories.
That mask though
So you cant comment on ‘Diary of a season’ anymore..
Arseblog probably thinks its better to have no comments than -ve comments..fair enough no point in having posters calling it meh when you already know its meh..
you see how liverpool play with small players?
coq can do the job.
I must say I thought Coquelin had a really good game considering his injury. However he did get sold by Austin and it could have been disastrous. As mentioned had it been Flamini, he would have been spit roasted for that one instance. We were not terribly water tight first half and any of QPR’s speculative efforts could have gone in. Still, his continued performance is encouraging. Too many get over excited with new players though. Point in case Gabriel. Again there are those ridiculous voices calling for him to replace Metersecker because the German is deemed ‘too slow’. The… Read more »
Tell that to yourself.
I don’t believe you’re still going on about this flamini issue. Coq at the moment is better. Simple as that.
Your new “theory” seem to be how Mert is better than Koscienly, which is very laughable. He has been very poor this season contray to all the excuses you try to make for him.