Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that Francis Coquelin has been doing a great job for Arsenal ever since his introduction to the side late December last year, following a call back from Arsenal after a short loan spell with Charlton.
Wenger states that Coquelin has been excellent defensively and has backed his opinion by saying: “You want a balance between attacking well and defending well and sometimes that depends on one player with specific characteristics.
“But I think we have had that debate for a long time now, that Arsenal do not buy defensive players.
“Coquelin has [some of] the best defensive statistics and numbers in Europe. You watch football like I watch football and you will see that defensively, Coquelin is doing a great job.”
In the past year, Coquelin has made the most number of interceptions in Europe with a whopping amount of 86 interceptions. The Frenchman is also in the top 10 for the most tackles made by midfielders. Stats like these certainly back up Wenger’s opinion on how Coquelin has performed in the defensive midfield role.
Wenger followed on by saying: “Since January, we have conceded less goals than anybody else.
“You know in football you have to accept that anybody can be right.
The only thing I want is that when people have opinions, it is documented and worked-out before.
Wenger coming out to say Arsenal have conceded a lot less goals than anybody else because of the contribution of Coquelin will only boost the tenacious midfielder’s confidence. At 24-years-of-age, the former Charlton man will want to further impress Wenger by keeping up his good form in the coming weeks, where Arsenal faces tough challenges, against the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.
