Roy of the Rovers did it, but that was in truth, fiction. A boys own comic story. That kind of fairytale just doesn’t happen in the real world. The real world of tough, unforgiving, cynical professional football…
Or does it?
A callow French youth, of 18 years young, moved to Arsenal permanently, on 1st July 2009, no doubt dreaming of becoming a Roy du la Rovers of Arsenal, North London.
His previous club, Stade Laval, recieved the princely sum of £880,000 for the promising midfielders registration and
the young Frenchman then joined an Academy squad boasting the likes of Craig Eastman, Oguzhan Ozyakup, Conor Henderson, Kyle Bartley and Benik Afobe…
He settled quite well in his new home and was soon being spoken of in youth circles, as having a bright future at Arsenal. His progress through the ranks led to a few senior games.
Loans to Lorient and a few 1st team appearances at full-back in the EPL and midfield in the League Cup, promised a bright future but injuries took their toll, as they do, and his career stalled.
Most Arsenal fans wrote him off as another promising youngster who just couldn’t cut it at the top level and most expected him to be sent packing as soon as he was fit after a run of cruel injuries…
During season 2013-14 an uninspiring season long loan to SC Freiburg seemed to spell the end for the promising Frenchman.
Ozyakup, Aneke, Lansbury and Frimpong had all left the club, their careers unfulfilled in the shirt of Arsenal and it only seemed a matter of time before, Francis Coquelin joined them…
On November 3rd 2014, Coquelin moved to Charlton on loan, no doubt preparing the way for his permanent departure. But fate, Lady Luck, call it what you will, took a hand.
A succession of injuries to Arsenal midfielders forced Arsene Wenger to recall Le Coq from his loan to Charlton on December 12th. And the rest is history.
Coquelin took his opportunity with both hands. Got a few games under his belt, not least the season defining win at the Etihad and has made himself an integral part of Wenger’s team, maybe one of the first names on the team sheet?
Coquelin has shown what the right attitude, will to win and work ethic can achieve. There are still a couple at Arsenal, who need to learn that lesson.
Francis had secured his future. A new four year deal is safely in his back pocket and the sky is the limit for the 23 year old…
He is now a firm favourite with the Arsenal faithful, not least after his performance against that mop-haired thug Fellaini, who elbowed his broken nose early in the FACup tie last week, then was totally outplayed as Le Coq dominated the big useless Belgian waffle on the way to a famous Arsenal victory…
Arsene Wenger has been lucky.
I doubt that he could have ever had envisaged the influence that Le Coq has had on his team mates. A novice, in comparison to some of them, it doesn’t stop Francis from giving his illustrious team mates a telling off if they fail to comply with their defensive duties. His simple and effective play in front of our back four, is a joy to behold. He keeps it simple and acts as the shield we’ve needed since Gilberto left, does the unglamorous work, but we fans know his value. And so does Wenger.
It remains to be seen if Arsene will spend many millions on another defensive-midfielder in the summer. Bielik, the Polish recruit last January, could be earmarked to join Le Coq in the senior squad next season? Watch this space!
As of now, Francis Coquelin has made himself a key figure in the present and future Arsenal team.
Yes, dreams can come true…
Written by Allezkev.
First 😀 :
In your face dev…lol off to read the post.
Morning Rico ts gonnie Joe. .. …… . Hoping for a miracle against Monaco we are due one at least… … Gonalos has been the best midfielder in ligue on this season in my opinion….. He was fantastic last night….. I think wenger likes him but his indecision will cost us if he does not act fast….
Tbh coq has done very well for himself and he seem like someone who wants to learn and that is a good thing imo…….. Let’s hope he keeps his head down and keep on doing his job….. .
That’s Hollywood right there…..I read that with tears in my eyes. Great post maam. What a season he’s having and like jack the lad says “we haven’t seen the best of him yet” I know lecoq is a beast going forward. He played as a full back and I ve seen him take on the opposition and beats them easily plus he crosses well too.
Good read Uncle Kev…
Morning Snap, Goonie; I agree with both of you re. Gonalons. He has truly improved; He has been super good. I think his contract could be a blessing.
I like the way Gonalons has anchored the base of Lyon’s midfield almost alone in that diamond formation.
Snap do you think Lyon are as good as the league table says or just good because they have no UCL commitment?
You can’t say I dislike French players. 😉
Hey snap gonalons is the shit…if he succeeds in leading them to the Ligue un title his stocks ll only rise. I don’t think we can even get him. He’s out of our reach now.
Most know my reservations on Le Coq in the past but I must admit he is willing to learn so lets all hope he can maintain this form.
Watching Morgan from Stamford bridge yesterday though you could tell the different in class between him and most DM in this league..
If we can’t get Morgan then Gonalons is the new Deschamps… 😉
Morning Snaparse and all..
Thoroughly enjoyed reading that Kev, thanks..
Can’t see Beilik being promoted next season though, he’s far to young and raw. In fact I’d rather Hayden gets the nod if AW isn’t going to sign another midfielder…
Just watching The Invinsibles programme, we had a few Roy of the Rovers back then… 🙂
Ts that’s a million dollar question. We don’t have that long to wait but yes I doubt it if they can dominate like they did in the early 2000s. Plus that ream ll be dissected soon. Madrid ll get laccesste gonalons might join juve et al. Time ll tell ts time ll tell.
Alright ts gonalons and Morgan. Take your pick 😀 :
Ts I can say but I know for sure that they have a very good mix of youth and experience of course not been in the cl helps(Liverpool last season) but I think they are a very good team and they all seem to have a point or two to prove…….. For example they were question about the form of few of them before the season start (gourcuff grenier) but they have come back much stronger I think they might not be able to repeat what they are doing this season again for sometime but I won’t be surprised if they do
Can’t instead of can
Hi Rico… .how are you?
Gonnie I like gonalos but Morgan is like a one man racking ball absolute brilliant player plus he is premiership proven….. so he will be my pick just…. .
Hahahahahah rico I just went through the league table below and noticed that the spurms have scored 46 and conceded 40. A +6 goal difference. Hahahahahah what a shower of shit they really are. Good lord. Forever in our shadow.
Snap I think maxin is the better player. This whole premier League proven is all but a myth. Lol. I think gonalons ll rip it here too. Plus he’s better on the ball. I like Morgan but gonalons is the shit. You don’t boss a midfield against verratti thiago motta et al if you don’t have balls. Go watch Lyon vs psg again. You ll see what I mean. Morgan is good but maxin is better imho.
I’m good thanks Snap, you?
Morning Rico and all. Excellent read Kev, you old romantic.
On Saturday I was impressed with Coquelin’s ability to soar, like a flying artichoke, for headers above several taller players. He is gritty and determined and really sets an enviable work rate by inviting others to match him. We were pretty good for 90 minutes on Saturday against a team that certainly created chances of their own. With Ozil greasing the wheels we simply had too much for them.
Adamant
Goonster
Morning Adam.
Against Utd and Fellaini he was very strong in the air too.
That’s true Rico. Fellaini is an absolute dog of a player.
I’m good Rico… ….. ….. Will be much better if we win Monaco tomorrow just to spite a certain special dwarf
You know what irks me maam. We ve been yearning for a player just like lecoq for a while now. One who sits,wins the ball and makes the simple pass to a forward player. But all of a sudden fans are now asking for Hollywood passes from him. He doesn’t go forward enough was the general concesus. They tend to forget our last Hollywood passer and how many goals we shipped in when he was in the team. Song cost us a few titles in the past and am glad to see the back of him. Let lecoq be. His job is to mop up and pads not go forward and score a golazo. Some fans ll never be satisfied.
Adam I though fellaini was the second coming of Viera?
Gonnie i like gonalos and will take him nonetheless but Morgan is just as good and premiership proven you can buy that imo
He sure is Adam.. Can see why AW dodged that bullet now, in an Arsenal shirt he’d be spend most games out banned…
Snap – won’t we all….
Morning rico, all. Great post Kev, nice when a story like this happens. And despite being in the thick of things every match, he’s not got injured, well apart from that hooter.
Morning Andrew…
Well watching that Invinsible programme was emotional. 🙂
Afternoon All…
Thanks for the Edit, Rico… 🙂
Cheers Adam, 😀
I guess I just prefer a Forrest Gump kinda story than say Nightmare on Elm Street 😉
Thank you Ginge/Andrew…
Glad you enjoyed it…
Coquelins success should really act as motivation to the likes of Hayden, Toral, Gnabry and Wellington…
A bit of luck and a lot of hard work really can make a difference…
Talkshite reckon Fellaini has been the best CM in the league in the last 4 weeks. 🙂
You know folks are scrapping the bottom of the barrel when LvG of all people has resorted in using Fellaini as his outlet… Moyes II.
Goonie- Gonalons is better on the ball because he was always a CM whilst Morgan was a CB before Fonte joined…
Abou Diabolic is still the best CM in the league. 😉
Hi Snap. No question that Fellaini can play but he’ll never be a Vieira for me. That is before PV became another needy knob.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Kev – Great article. After the first few paragraphs I had a suspicion this wasn’t one of Rico’s posts (not her style of prose). However, when I got to the following lines; “…that mop-haired thug Fellaini, who elbowed his broken nose early in the FACup tie last week, then was totally outplayed as Le Coq dominated the big useless Belgian waffle on the way to a famous Arsenal victory…”, I knew for sure.
Le Coq has put in the graft and grabbed the opportunity given him. He deserves a new contract, he has earned it. I’d like to think he’ll be paired with someone like Schneiderlin next season. That would be a great double pivot and great screen for our back four.
I love it if we did get Schneiderlin. He was a constant thorn in Chelski’s side yesterday. He was constantly breaking up play, so Chelski were having a terrible time getting any flow to their game. Pity??
Always a pleasure Kev.. 😉
Ginge – “Abou Diabolic is still the best CM in the league.” Is that giant bulge in your cheek your tongue or are you sucking one one of those enormous gobstoppers?
Afternoon Cg. I must change my style of writing, just to keep you on your toes… 😉
Schneiderlin had a really good game yesterday, I like him too and being used to the PL, he’d be a great addition, although his is slightly under tall…. lol
Rico – No need to change, Kev just has that touch of irreverent humour/sarcasm. It isn’t a matter of quality, just style.
Just kidding Cg…
😀 Cg… well, that was what Zizou said ages ago so it must still hold. Howdy Sir?
A Le coq and Schneiderlein pivot will be useful in games where we have to be pragmatic. imho.
AW’s style of play requires a WC box to box player; With the aforementioned none of them will be able to do that job well enough for us; That would also mean arguably the 2nd best box to box midfielder in the league i.e Ramsey will have to be dropped.
At the moment SC19 is doing that job tirelessly and helping Le Coq to adjust and learn his trade as a restrained CM come DM…
As I mentioned during Southamptons’ 7-1 loss to us 3 seasons ago; a CM of Ramsey and Morgan will be as good or even better than Kroos and Silva of RM; Pirlo and Vidal of Juve or even Matuidi and Motta.
Snap do you know why Blanc is favouring Rabiot over Cabaye recently? Losing to Bordeaux is not good at all…
As mentioned last summer Sami is joining S04…
Oh and Al-Khelaïfi has been turned down again for the nth time by AW… according to L’equipe
We can think what we like about AW but that man defines loyalty… £8m a year contract or not.
Ginge – I take your point re the box-to-box CM. However, with MA08 not yet having signed a contract extension and only having a few? more years in him if he does sign, the team need another holding CM. We would only have to play the likes of Le Coq and a Scheiderlin type together when we are up against the more physical and long ball/over-the-top teams.
Arsenal have been accused all too often of being predictable in their style of play. This season we have seen Aesene take a more pragmatic approach to games and it seems to be paying off. Schneiderlin would add depth and flexibility while still allowing us to rotate the likes of Cazorla and Ramsey into the back of the midfield.
And of course, Cazorla could very well be off back to Spain this summer…..
Agree with you Cg…
Rico- I think SC19 would like to stay; however, I doubt Santi will toe the same line TR07 and DB10 toed…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFnPQS_vde0
Rico – I’d be surprised if Santi left this summer. He seems to be really enjoying his football this season. Although stranger things have and will continue to happen.
Cg- he wants a longer contract not the 1 year normally offered to over 30’s at Arsenal…
His agent has said that Santi won’t consider just a 1 year extension. Santi will be 31 y.o when his contract expires.
He may consider that leaving next season and signing a 3 year deal with a Seville or even Barca will be better than chancing it at Arsenal even though he might earn 10k or 20k more here..
Poyet gone?
lol..well after getting trashed by Syg’s favourite player Benteke last wekend… you expect nothing else. 🙂
I think he has the potential to be a good manager…
Look at AVB the master of winning UEFA cup now at Zenit, doing very well…
Ginge – With Arsene’s recent changes to his tactics, will he still remain inflexible on the one year only extension to contracts for players over thirty? I hope Santi and the club can come to some accommodation/compromise as Santi is a model for the younger players to learn from. Time will tell.
Yes Lee, no big surprise really…
Thanks CG…
Tbh I thought that Poyet would have been gone first thing this morning…
His players got him the sack…
That club needs a serious clear out of it’s playing staff…
Cg, he certainly looks very happy and not long ago he signed a new contract. Anyone know when this one runs out for Santi?
Cg- Time will tell indeed.
I didn’t see Santi’s data re. fitness for preseason from the stats sites; but his previous ones were not over great…
However, on the pitch this season he seems to be 2nd/3rd to Ozil, Bellerin/Sanchez. Maybe the new fitness man’s conditioning is helping him…
Kev you’ve been hanging with your literary friends… good piece mate!
I just checked, apparently Santi Cazorla’s contract runs until June 2018
Panic over… 😀
Thanks Lee…
My friends are all extremely decent people.
They are also well read… 😀
AW last month, 2 months after Santi signed an improved contract. from Metro
‘He extended his contract last year. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, we’ve not been approached,’ he said.
‘The suggestion is only a suggestion; we have never been approached by anybody.’
I’m off to get some kip before the Swansea vs. Liverfool game kicks off. Hopefully the Swans will do us a favour and take two, maybe all three, points off the Dippers; much like Sotton did to Chelski.
I should have known that the noisy neighbours down the street wouldn’t oblige us by doing the same to ManUre. The Tiny Totts were abject. They gifted Vain Wooney the third goal. They did everything but tie a bow on it.
Have a great day everyone. Keep The Faith!
Jack Dee has got a nice crib…
If you are to believe Guillem Balague,
Balague revealed that Atletico Madrid could land Cazorla for a relatively cheap price at the end of the season, due to the fact he will have 12 months left to run on his contract.
Balague says Sc19 did not sign an extension but an improved deal in line with his original contract which said if we won something then his contract/salary had to be reviewed…
later cg…
I would love the bin dippers to lose…
The media loving scousers are aiming for top 4 whilst telling the listeners in another sentence that Arsenal fans should not consider finishing in top 4 as an achievement …
Good Afternoon Lovelies and Hunkies.
A marvellous post mate. i enjoyed reading it.
Yes we had some Roy of the Rovers players in the invincibles. players who were simply great for us.
We had a great CB in Toure…..who came from nowhere in the IC and was an invincible. Beside him we had the great SC…..who joined us from a non elite club with low ambitions and he was deemed surplus to requirement since he wanted to win trophies and his club cannot afford that.
Aye. Roy of the Rovers stuff.
Thanks Kev, 2018 is good news. A least we’ll get good money for Santi… 😉
Night Cg…
1.32 Ts. Can understand why he’d want to stay….
Rico, he signed a new contract a year ago, same time as Ramsey and Koscielny.
I got my info off of Transfermarket.com.
Don’t know where they get there info from?
Their info…
Catch up later..
Lets hope they are right Kev…
Well done Kev a thoroughly good read! One cannot beat a bit of Coq slapping! But as you point out he has come from nowhere three months ago to a ‘now’ superhero! ‘Kin’ marvellous.
I wonder how many of the stalls will come on down and join him, in the first team, before the old geezer hangs up his trackie bottoms? We have plenty of Roy’s of the Rovers in the age teams, that’s for sure. It seems Wenger, almost by accident has re introduced ‘Project Youth’ the default squad?
Poyet joins countless others of “former Sunderland Managers” they should have reunion bash, I bet they would fill the Albert Hall! What surprises me is that the fans are absolutely fanatical to the point of insanity, they are so keen, so enthusiastic, so comitted to the ‘one love’ a love supreme (a fanzine title) you would think that they would get behind their manager, no matter who they got and support him to the hilt, but even when they’ve employed a good ‘un they have hissed and dissed him almost as soon as he had parked his car!, from Steve Bruce (hometown Newcastle didn’t help him) to Martin O’neil, to Charlie Buchan and the rest! What is it with them? They just don’t seem to give their men a chance. It’s a case of off with old, 12 monthsish, on with the new, another 12 months of turmoil on Wearside! A friend and Black Cats supporter for more than 30 years and a season ticket holder for most of the ripped up his season ticket at the end of last year and said he’d never go again, why?
Thank the Lord we’ve got Wenger!
Sorry I’m rambling, ranting about something totally un Arsenal, except it’s not. Will we be in a similar boat when the venerable Wenger casts us aside, or will the geriatric Board and the Syrup find another Wenger, a clone perhaps, or shall we drift through Mangers like we did in the late fifties and early sixties, one manager after another, and all of them on the wrong side of crap, until Bertie Mee stepped up!
I’m really glad I’m a gooner and not any other club, despite our recent success at failure!! We’re still consistently winning the 4th place trophy, if nothing else!
*stalls = youngsters!!!!
That tosser Ballague talks crap most of the time and has done so for years now. If Santi is allowed to leave it will be a travesty. With the advances in sports science athletes can go on far longer than just a few years ago.
Afternoon Rico and the House
Not a very nice day down south overcast and very chilly.
Excellant post Kev one that highlights how lucky Le Coq is and how unlucky Isaac Hayden has been
In Nov Isaac was injured in training the day before he was earmaked to make his first team debut. He then had another injury on the 9th dec and the following day they found out how bad it was.
As you say Le Coq was recalled on the 12th just 48hrs later, which leaves me asking would that have taken place if Isaac had not picked up the second
injury.
Did you know Harry Donavon trained with the first team today, I think he is the one young player who can learn a lot from Le Coq
Evening Rick and all..
Yes Rick, possibly Hayden had he not got injured… Darn shame!
Great news Rick, re: Donavon…
A mate of mine thought that he might leave us last summer, fortunately he decided to stay…
Now I’m waiting for Dobson to get a chance.
Evening Rico and Kev
I’m hearing some of our players are “ill”.
Tomas has not gone to Monoco Serge Crowley and Beikick are missing from tonights U21 team.
Kev from what I have seen of Harry he looks a bit like Romford Pele he works his socks off.
Have they been eating lasagne Rick? 😉
Come on you Rrrrrrrrrr’s
Sounds like Rico.
Are you watching the cup replay.
Middleof the pitch looks a little bit short of grass .
Go Reading, go Reading…….. 🙂
Sure am Rick, it’s my home team. Shocking pitch….
Didn’t Reading score 4 first half goals in cup match, once but lost 5-7 in the end. Tonight’s performance is very similar in 2 ways, so far!
I thought you were Rico.
Mixed fealings whenthey play us in the semi.
H/T U 21 Goal less
🙂 Wavy…
Very mixed feelings Rick…..
I’m off guys, night all…
U21 game finished goalless
Night all
I wonder if Wenger would risk using Gabriel in Monaco?
That’s encouraging about Donavon, Rick.
If he is half as good as Parlour then we’ve got a good ‘un…
Wavy, slapping Coq, I really can’t add anything mate. 🙂
Adam, Ballague had Arsenal selling Patrick Vieira to Real Madrid for about 5 years…
Then Patrick joined an Italian club…
He’s a Spanish Harry Harris, or as Lee would cuttingly state, a cnut…
I wholeheartly agree with Lee of course.
Lee is seldom wrong in these matters of judgement Kev. 🙂
I think Ballache’s mother was a beaver and his father a waiter if my memory serves me correctly….. Brudder do you remember?
Morning all.
Morning All
Mission Impossible or Monte Carlo or Bust.
That was an early start Adam…
You off to Monaco?
Or is there a sale at Costco??
Hi Kev,
As long as we get the win I’ll be happy.
Allez! courage!” Lets hammer AS Monaco…
morning all
Your local team at Wembley Rico ? You have more chance of getting a ticket there than most will at our place.
Morning all…
Mission impossible Kev, but even they got the right result in the end…. 😉
We need to beat Monaco to keep the momentum going…… we’ve got the bar codes on Saturday, they’ve got Cisse and Coloccini out.
Scott, any win would be good…
Who knows, Monaco concede an early goal and the nerves set in?
Rico, your right, I used to enjoy that show. 🙂
Lee, apparently Monaco have three players out, from the team that beat us at the Grove.
Morning Rico and all. Hi Kev. Up early these days as I have a house guest. I do lots in the AM so I can relax later. :). Hard to believe I know.
Lee. All I know is that his father was a well known Dam builder in the wilds of Canada and had two enormous front hampsteads. 🙂
Hopefully Maarten Stekelenburg will start and have a shocker… but most likely Subasic will start in goal
Rabinho, Echejiele/Kurzawa, Aymen, Carvalho
Toulalon, Moutinho, Kondogbia
Matheus carvalho, Ex-spuddie, diallo/Carrasco
David Ospina; Nacho Monreal, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny, Hector Bellerin; Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey; Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud
I’ve heard that Toulalan is out
And that Kondogbia is out as well…
Morning Adam… 😀
Hi Kev.
Excellent news Kev; they both missed the Bastia game last weekend so you might have a point; I thought they were being rested.
That will mean Rabinho in DM with Echejiele at RB.
Rambo will make Rabinho sweat this time around.
1 man down too.. 😉
Morning Adam..
Hi Brudder?
If we play the same way Psg played against them a few days back, we will hammer them…
They can’t stand it when teams are patient; Jardim can’t pack the bus like he does and break on the counter…
Good morning chums. 🙂
According to Sky Sports, those three are all back tonight Kev, having recovered from injury… 🙁
Happy birthday to Pat Rice and Lee Dixon.
Bugger… 🙁
They were short of players at the Emirates any changes will be more regular first teamers coming back.
New post up now.