Arsene Wenger has praised the performance of Francis Coquelin following Arsenal’s 2-1 win over West Ham today.
The French midfielder was, just a few weeks ago, considered surplus to requirements and sent on loan to Charlton. Not long after that deal had been extended, the Gunners lost Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere to injury, leading to a recall, and he was thrust back into first team action at Upton Park today.
Asked if he had any doubts about playing the Frenchman, Wenger said, “It was a gamble but I felt that we needed to protect with two players in front of the defence with Carroll on the long balls – we needed a bit of protection. I feel that he was the right choice.
“He played very well, especially in the first half. He was very influential and then in the second half he fatigued a bit in the last 20 minutes, but he had a very good performance not only defensively but he also passed quickly, sharply and through the lines.
“Overall he had a convincing performance.”
The Arsenal manager was happy with the team’s performance too, saying they had to find reserves to see out what was a frenetic finale, less than 48 hours after having to hold off QPR with 10 men.
“We knew before the game that we had to dig deep to win because we were a bit jaded but we did that. With the ball I think we had a very different game today, but we always looked dangerous.
“We couldn’t finish the game off – it’s down to the quality of their goalkeeper. It’s down to sometimes missing our chances, sometimes as well maybe there was a player in a better position.
“Overall we created a lot of chances. When you look at the results today, there’s not too many goals. Forty-eight hours ago everyone played and of course that has a little impact.”
Arsenal now have a couple of days rest before another testing encounter away to Southampton who drew 1-1 at Chelsea today and who seem to have rediscovered some form after a poor patch.
Wenger should whip out his Coq more often.
Certainly no shrinkage despite the cold weather. He put on a great show
On a serious note I hope wenger still buys a new Defensive midfielder ,our coq is still inexperienced and can get sloppy
Every bodies got time for Wengers Coq
I think the Coq has come into his own.
I want to see more coq action this season. With any luck 2015 will be the year of the coq
As long as it’s not the year of the cockerel
Grzegorz Krychowiak has just confirmed on his Twitter that he has agreed a deal with a English Club for a January move. He has just joined Sevilla 6 months ago and has enjoyed a great first half of the season, picking up 4 MOTM awards as a DM. He is tall, strong and really good in the air. For someone his size he also has great acceleration and is surprisingly good on the ball and with his passing. He reminds me of Koscielny but as a midfielder. Fingers crossed it is us who he is going to join, he would… Read more »
Actually 28th of december is kind of a joke day in Spain, so that tweet of his is not true. Although I am polish and a fan of Krychowiak, I still prefer Schneiderlin or Bender tough, both closer to becoming world class players than him imo.
Speaking of Schneiderlin, I believe he picked up a red card today against Chelsea, which means he won’t be able to play against us. A good news, given we are missing Giroud and our midfield is somewhat depleted.
holy shit I had no idea hahahaha
Dont worry, most of polish journalists did not have one either 🙂
Really hope we sign him! He’s a great ball player and has the added height and physicality we need in the middle.
It was a prank, you know a goof!
I’m glad Wenger suprised us with his coq today
I am getting sick of these coq jokes. Stop it please.
I want more cock. And I meant cock and not Coq.
Had enough Coq gags?
Suck my coq!!
Yes, the Coq does tend to get shoved in your face quite a bit, eh?
I will raise my coq to arsene’s coq . thank you coq’s
If only he were slightly taller and more imposing. Guess we have to accept our short Coq and move on
It’s common to wish for more Coq than you have.
It’s not the size it’s what it does.
yes indeed. our coq is the best
Time to click on those emails I’ve been sending you! 3″ in 3 weeks… jussayin
We need more coq pls
I was moaning about the coq earlier on too but the coq performed well today and made me feel a lot better after a solid hard performance
according to arsene, our coq couldnt last 90mins today…it got slacked off with 20mins to go…
A little premature. At least everyone is happy and that’s all that matters
Coq stood up tall today.
Well, they certainly won’t going to be blowing bubbles with a Coq like that on display. Poor Bubbles.
I like the fact that we have him as a DM. Our very own invisible Coq-blocker!
Didn’t Le Coq get a pass cockblocked by the ref?
Yeah I’m sure I saw the ref doing some coq-blocking!
We have sufficient depth in DM for this season. It is at Cback (again a goal from a cross) where we have to strengthen. All these names espoused – Wanyama, Capoue, MVilla, Melo, Song, Kayoute, Bender…our porous DM has dominated matches against all these players. Flamini has had over 90% passing completion rate and has improved positionally in recent games. Coquelin is getting a second look in thanks to Arteta’s injury. He is at 24+ at the age where most young players come good (or not at all). He will make some mistakes but he is more than sufficient to… Read more »
Agree with all of this. Though long-term, I’d like to see our first choice DM be someone more like a Yaya Toure — big physical presence with some technical ability. Either Flamini (though he’s not so young any more) or Coquelin as second choice.
Yayas are one in a million.
Agreed (and a great post on the other thread) Santori. I like the idea of Coquelin and Chambers being seriously tried in midfield. I love the fact that Coquelin has returned with determination – says a lot about his character. I believe it a fault players are habitually cast in a black or white light at Arsenal – favored or excluded. I want to see Coquelin given a true chance and I want to see Jenkinson back in the squad. Many want to see both Podolski and Rosicky rotated more often. It is stupid to determine these players might not… Read more »
Buy a decent centre back, put coq on flamini pos, add 1 more pure striker and 1 midfield centre. Im sure arsenal will be top league.
I was very impressed with Coq today. He looks like he’s found some balls and is now a more complete package of a midfielder.
Coq certainly rose to the occasion.
despite a decent shift. this does not mean we dont need a proper defensive midfielder Arsene.
If he starts regularly, this joke will still be funny.
I felt Coq really filled a hole today.
I’d rather have a Coq than a Flamini
Again one swallow does not a summer make but just to illustrate our reasonable strength in depth (bar Cback) : CF – Giroud, Welbeck, Sanogo RW – Walcott, Ox, Campbell LW – Alexis, Podolski, Gnabry AM – Ozil, Santi, Rosicky CM – Jack, Ramsey, (Diaby) DM – Arteta, Flamini, Coquelin RB – Debucchy, Bellerin LB – Gibbs, Monreal CB – Per CB – KOscielny, Chambers GK – Szsc, Ospina, Martinez Biggest issue at the moment is Cback cover (albeit Debuchy may cushion this somewhat. Next to that at CM albeit Ox and Rosicky can play there and we have options… Read more »
When I saw the title of the article, I thought “oh no…” And my fears are confirmed.
Looks like Grzegorz Krychowiak (DM, Sevilla) might be signing for us after all 🙂 According to the medias he wrote on twitter that he had reached an agreement with an english club over a transfer. (Not specifically mentioning arsenal in the tweet..)
Would be a great start of the january window! Coyg!
Read some of the upper comments before posting one, please.
If the Coq was tired why doesn’t AW sub him. Even Alexis was tired playing two games in 48 hrs.
AW, just seems to have given up on that option!
Couldn’t have been too tired, he didn’t shrink much late on…
I actually had a big french cock up my arse tonight, and Arsenal won, happy days.
I’m so happy for Francis, I’ve been one of his biggest supporters when people here were saying he was shit without ever seeing him play. He’s been one of my fav reserve players, and I was convinced he could do a flamini-cole (on the way out till a first team injury gave them a chance to impress).
Coquelin’s problem (and yes I will spell out his name), is that he wanted first team football too quickly. If he was a little more patient, he could have been a regular.
He hasn’t even said anything of the sort. All he wants is a chance, and he’s 23.
This is a guy that was meant to go out on loan to QPR but the loan got cancelled, only to play one game as a left back (did well too) but no other chances then shipped off to Charlton.
If he knew he wouldn’t get any chances, then I bet he wished he got loaned to QPR rather than Charlton.
I dunno, he’d have had to play for ‘arry then. I’m not sure “get out there and run araaand a bit” is really going to improve your game, even if you do it regularly.
Need a decent coq that last longer n maybe forever, our coq is way too young, so much to learn
I’m sorry Wenger but my Coq lasts 70 minutes without getting fatigued I’m a happy man
Cock!
Probably the first time a Coq is providing protection, most of the time the Coq needs protection.
This fixation on wenger’s coq is honestly hilarious considering how many people dislike the man.
Dear me, everybody loves Coq today!
I’m a little annoyed at how the author continues to write Coquelin off as a potential long-term solution. Seriously, give the guy a chance. He was better than Flamini yesterday, and I think he could be better than Arteta too.
Hehe. Willies.
I like the Coq jokes, keep it cumming.
Arseblog loves the Coq
I say let the Coq circumcise the league in a DM role, circumcise them Coq chop them off!