After their surprise emergence last season, Arsene Wenger has challenged Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin to repeat the feat in the 2015/16 campaign.
Coquelin came from the wilderness to establish himself as a key performer in the side, while the young Spaniard took advantage of injuries to Mathieu Debuchy to bed in at right back.
However, the Arsenal manager has warned both players they have to maintain the level of performance, something that’s not always easy in the second season.
“Bellerin and Coquelin are the two players who were not necessarily planned last season to come out,” he said.
“They have to confirm that this season, and that is always very difficult to produce the same performance in the second season, so that is their challenge.”
And on the former Barcelona man, he said, “He is one of the players who has emerged last year and has had a very good season.
“Hector is a very mature, very focused player, and I am confident he will have a good season again.”
Reports this morning suggest that Bellerin will sign a new four year deal imminently, and he spoke of his happiness at the club and his faith in the manager.
“The idea of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League was a real attraction, but it was the idea of working for Arsene Wenger which really sold the idea to me.
“I know he is a man who likes to bring up young players and I knew if I was doing well that he would give me the chance, and that is how it has turned out.
“He told me that if I worked hard and made the right progression then I could play for the first team. He showed faith in me and I am happy I have been able to justify his trust.”
Second season is tough, danger that they relax having thought they have made it, and other teams become aware of their weaknesses.
Would prefer a stronger back-up to the Coq, though not sure we will get one.
I don’t think we’ll get anybody else to come in as cover for Coq. Wenger will persist with Arteta and Flamini it seems. It’s easy to panic, as I was earlier when Schneiderlin (the ideal signing supposedly) signed for United. But I’ve given some thoughts on it and Arteta, if you can recall the 13/14 season I think it was? Our 125th anniversary season. He really was on top form then, our win to lose ratio with him on the team sheet is almost doubled that when he’s not playing. Now there is talk that he doesn’t have the legs… Read more »
I think we’re all at one point or another looking for a stronger back up to the coq.
may the force be with you!
We don’t need back up for Coq because Alexis will teach him how to never be injured.
Bellerin and Coquelin are the two players who were not necessarily planned last season to come out!
What’s the deal with football playerscoming out on airplanes!
Yes.. I tell shit jokes, I go now.
Thank fuck the real Jerry Seinfeld was a bit better than you! haha x
*tumbleweed
The biggest concern of Arsenal fans has to be cover for Coquelin whether it be for injury, suspension, drop in form or just rotation. A healthy Arteta can provide cover in many matches, but that is a big if he stays healthy. Last year he missed the final 6 months of the season with what appeared to initially be a minor injury and also had injury issues the prior year. Hopefully his not playing every match will help keep him healthy, but then again many Arsenal injuries occur in training. All will agree that Flamini at this point is not… Read more »
well we can forget about new signings. wenger was quoted as saying ” we don’t guarantee new signings”. so i am lowering my expectations. ideally we would bring another dm but if not i would try a midfield diamond with two upfront against weaker opposition wilshere at the base, ramsey and santi or ox flanking him and ozil in the hole. it is like england using wilshere at the base with two energetic mid fielders in delph and henderson but with two wingers and a lone forward and also juventus using pirlo at the base, marchisio and pogba flanking him… Read more »
Might work but a diamond of Wilshere, Cazorla and Ramsey further ahead with Ozil at number 10 will surely leak goals like no tomorrow
You know – Hector and Francis are no harry kanes.. they are serious guys on an upward trajectory. Neither of them appear to have “made it” in there heads – Thank fully neither are english so the media weight of expectancy will not crush them or inhibit them Coq has years of difficulty behind him and knows the 0.1% difference between failing at Charlton and making it in a top 8 european club. He has seen that wafer thin margin. Bellerin chose to come to Arsenal for his chance – he distanced him self from a return to barca –… Read more »
As far as the Premier League is concerned, Coquelin counts as English.
I dont remember coq playong for france….as a homegrown player, is he not eligible to play for england? Cmon Woy, you know its right!!
I read that as Wenger challenging them in a performance at first. Ended up laughing for a good couple of minutes to the image of Wenger interrupting a session, calling out Francis and Hector to the middle, and goes “you ’bout to get served!”.
“I know he is a man who likes to bring up young players and I knew if I was doing well that he would give me the chance, and that is how it has turned out.” This is what I LOVE about Arsene. He has always showed trust in young players and has allowed them to take the step up if they can prove themselves worthy. It’s meant talented young players have been attracted to Arsenal and will continue to in a time where you see young players go to Man City and fade away due to a lack of… Read more »
Considering the need for a backup DM, maybe we can get a loan for someone this season and postpone the permanent DM solution by a year. Someone like Kramer (he was loaned for 2 years because Lars Bender is there) or someone else who is good enough to provide cover for Coq and better than Flamini, but doesn’t have big price tag and would not necessarily demand a starting spot. Maybe with a buy-out option in case he comes real good. Just a thought.
Maybe it’s a response to his missed header in the pool.
https://twitter.com/HectorBellerin/status/621748657755410437
Plenty of know it alls still like to pronounce the futures of younger players like Sanogo, Campbell etc dead before arrival. NONE of them predicted Bellerin’s rise or Coquelin’s re-emergence. Bellerin was every bit part of Arsenal’s plans last summer. He had been impressing in the youth team for some time. I for one was not surprised to see Wenger play him. He took his chance when Chambers had to be pre-occupied in an unfamiliar role due to our lack of prep at Cback. The issue now is how to re-integrate Chambers to regular games. As far Coquelin and Bellerin,… Read more »
May I suggest that Arsene should try Mikel as he will be a back-up and can still do the job. He may not be what everyone is expecting. A loan move for him will suffice,he has not be playing at chelsea and could cover and right now,better that Flamini.