Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Francis Coquelin will join Valencia in the coming days.
The manager was asked about the status of the French midfielder’s proposed move to the Mestalla in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The boss also took a moment to praise his side’s defensive discipline and the way they bounced back from Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Here’s what he had to say to Sky Sports.
On the performance…
We showed great togetherness and had great discipline in the team. Overall, we didn’t give too many chances away. I’m pleased with the spirit and the determination we’ve shown.
On the game going as planned…
You want first to be solid, yes. But ideally, you want to score as well. We went close a few times but overall I believe that team responded very well.
On the use of VAR, first for a decision involving Moses and Maitland-Niles…
I didn’t see the replay on television. They made their decision we have to respect it.
And the review of Welbeck’s tackle on Fabregas…
I was worried that it took too much time. I thought maybe they were not sure that it was not a penalty and they were looking at it again and again and again, so you worry a little bit.
On Wilshere’s injury…
It’s an ankle sprain from what I’ve heard. How long will he be out, will he be available on Sunday, I don’t know. It’s definitely an ankle injury.
On Arsenal holding an advantage ahead of the second leg…
I don’t know. We play at home. It’s a game we have to win to qualify. That’s ideally what we want. You know, this kind of games, we played 2-2 last week a 0-0 tonight. As much as it was open last week, tonight it was unopen, a blocked game, a locked game tactically on both sides. It’s very difficult to predict but of course we want to win the game.
On Coquelin signing for Valencia…
Yes [that’s true].
On signing players…
At the moment we have five big injuries. Hopefully, we’ll get some [players] back. I believe the earliest to come back will be Ramsey and that’s quite welcome because it’s an area [midfield] where we’re short. If we didn’t lose Jack tonight and have Ramsey back and Ozil back maybe on Sunday then we have the numbers. But at the moment we look a bit short.
On being in the press box for the evening…
They [the journalists] were quiet. Overall, it’s a good position. I think you [the media] are well treated in the stadiums, you have a good position.
So are signing anyone Arsene?
SO he admits Arsenal are short in the midfield and what does he do … sells Coq. Logic went and jumped off a roof after this interview.
“Is Coquelin joining Valencia”?
—-“Yes”
“For how much”?
—-“Yes”
Why do we always get bummed in the transfer market?
Why do you talk that way?
I had a STROOOOOKE
It’s called having guile and wit
It’s actually from The Simpsons but don’t let your lack of culture get in the way of a good reference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrKmo0YAZEo
“Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Or something.
ENTER Fort…in bras.
HORATIO: How now? The Coq rises!
Best of luck @ Valencia Le Coq…the 2-0 win at man city I feel was his best performance in an arsenal shirt.. absolutely fantastic in that match…MOTM alongside Santi
Agree. Just whats the fucking point of selling him for 10M and keeping Elneny?
Good question. Couldnt agree more.
All the downvotes rate Elneny more than Coq?? Or you just downvote anything criticizing Wenger?
I just downvote everything
Arsenal fans: why are we stockpiling squad players on high wages?
Also Arsenal fans: why are we selling Coquelin (£100k/week) instead of Elneny (£55k/week)
Whilst I agree with the point you are making, surely Coquelin isn’t on 100k!!?
I heard it’s 110k w/appearances but every bloke down the pub is itk
On signing players: at the moment we have 5 big injuries. Hopefully we get some back ?
But what does it mean? I dont know!
you know exactly what it means. when players return from injury: “he is like a new signing” -____-
The situation is ideal.
“Look, err…….listen, err……little bit more the bullsh*t”
Remember that a player coming back from injury, is like a new signing, everytime.
LANS…and I don’t mean Lansbury
I miss Le Coq already. Best of luck to him.
Goodluck Le Coq. I’ll proudly watch on as you layeth the smacketh down on Messi, Ronaldo and rest of the diving Inc.
Best of luck to le coq sportif. We could really use signing someone to be less of a laughing stock.
Good luck Francis. You brought some joy to the policeman role when Santi was around and won’t forget that game at Man City in a while : )
Hope we inserted a buy back clause.
Maybe he goes to Spain and improves like Nzonzi. I hope our Coq becomes harder, faster and stronger.
Then a manager who actually thinks our Coq is useful can bring him back.
hahaha Buyback clause! haha, good one!
Another player we have massively over paid so had to take a cut in the transfer fee
10m for coq compared to 18m for bentaleb last season
Gotta love the man, what an interview ?? let’s hope Jack is indeed ok.
I’m not surprised with the peanuts–give away prices arsenal sells it’s players for.. and then go suffer in the market themselves.. we always sell players less than the amount we buy players, except groomed players.
I won’t be surprised if Sanchez goes for £20m to a club which bought ‘the-Walker’ at 50
Always gave his all and that’s all I want as an arsenal fan! All the best
“We look a bit short in midfield”
Proceeds to sell a midfielder.
Gna miss coquelin some ppl forget he was jusy there to protect the defence which he done well arsenal was crying out for one of them players a dirty defensive midfielder which we needed for years and we got his heart and passion was second to none now we play a 3 at thr back system which has affected him badly but affected our results even more importantly how is eleney still a arsenal player and the French cockney guy aint
“Wenger on signing new players….”
Or
“Wenger on how to say ‘like a new signing’ without actually saying ‘like a new signing'”
Good luck to Coq
It can’t be true he is on 100K wage? If thats the case AW needs to be stripped of any contract and transfer power. I can understand TW salary because he had leverage but Coq? Please it couldn’t have been true.
Delphi is on 100k at city
We don’t have enough midfielders, so let’s sell a midfielder.
Brilliant!
I am actually sad to see Coquelin go. Wish him the best at Valencia.
This reminds me of the Wojciech Szczęsny case cuz as for me I will sell Ospina and keep the young man. Good luck Coq shine on when u get to Valencia.