Francis Coquelin has recently admitted that playing for the French national side would be a dream come true for him. The young Frenchman has made a total of 74 appearances for the Gunners and has earned a reputation as one of the Premier Leauge’s top defensive midfielders, following his recall from Charlton last December.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, Coquelin claimed that playing for the French national team is a big deal for every player and so the only way he can earn himself the accolade is to continue working hard at Arsenal in the hopes of impressing Didier Deschamps the national side’s coach.
Every player wants to represent their country and the Euros in France is something massive for any French player to be a part of.
To be part of the squad would be amazing but there are loads of things to do first and the most important thing is Arsenal.
Coquelin moved on to suggest that he believes one more season performing at the level he has been should be enough to earn himself a call-up to his national side.
If I play well here maybe I will get a chance for France, but the most important thing is Arsenal. As any French player would, though, you want to play for France and hopefully it can happen one day.
The Frenchman has previously won the U19 European cup with France but claims that doing the same with the senior side would be an even more incredible experience. However, he also acknowledged that knuckling down at Arsenal and doing his duty on the field is the most important thing for him at the moment.
It would be unbelievable. I won the Under-19 Euros and it was something unbelievable as well. To win the Euros with the French national team would be even more crazy.
If I perform well here, maybe I will get the chance to play for France but I think the most important thing is to stay focused on Arsenal and then things will come along.
The Arsenal midfielder still has fond memories of France’s World Cup triumph back in 1998 where former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit was successful and is hopeful that he can perform in front of his home nation and try to secure silverware for them in a similar fashion.
Of course I remember it.
All my family were watching the games so I remember it well.
It was such a great feeling. To play in front of a home crowd in France would be unbelievable with the support of all the French people. We have to wait and see, and work hard, that’s the most important thing.
Following the Gunners’ disappointing transfer window, Coquelin will prove to be one of Arsenal’s most important players this season and should he continue to perform at the highest level there is no reason why he can’t be successful at both club and national level.
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