Striker bid rejected! Coquelin injured, what would Arsene do?

Morning all.

Francis Coquelin is not injured, but if he were, with this current squad what might Arsene Wenger do?

Flamini is heading off to Turkey it seems so he’s not an option which one can only say ‘phew’. I’ve nothing against Flamini, well, other than the fact he walked out on us for free which he’s done all his career when moving clubs, and the fact that as his second stint at Arsenal progressed, his performances regressed. I think one of the first tackles he made during this this second time at Arsenal was a cruncher against Tottenham. He came off the bench and went straight through one of their players, taking the ball first of course. I thought back then, great stuff, he’s going to be good for us.

Well that kind of play was short lived really because as time went on, the ‘French Policeman’ waved his arms around a lot whilst bossing others but really, his own performances seriously dipped. He was nothing like the man who was once playing for a big contract in Italy.

Next up is club captain Mikel Arteta and the thought of him playing against Chelsea, Liverpool, City, Utd or any other team with a fraction of pace in it scares the heck out of me. And who’s to say he’ll be fit and injury free when/if called upon?

Then there is Jack Wilshere, well that’s a big no from the start imo. He’s not the strongest, he’s not the quickest and he’s certainly he’s not the tallest and my own opinion he’s better further up the pitch, despite what Roy Hodgson thinks. Can you imagine him and Santi Cazorla in our midfield? One little ball over the top and the defence are exposed, so no thanks, not Jack.

Aaron Ramsey, well he’s certainly got the engine to play in a b2b role but he too likes to get forward and when that’s instinctive to a player, discipline to protect the back four can go out the window.

Calum Chambers maybe? He’s played in that position before but that was when he was younger. It’s been a while since then and as yet, we haven’t seen Arsene Wenger try him in that position, not properly. I think he came on towards the end of a game last season and bulked up the midfield, but that could have been my eyes playing tricks on me.

Krystian Bielik, the Polish out and out DM could be in the managers thoughts but he’s very young, very inexperienced and very slight. He wasn’t on the plane to Singapore so I can’t see him being the solution this season. Unless of course he’s been spending his time in the gym!

Finally there’s Issac Hayden but like Bielik, he didn’t travel to Asia so perhaps he’s deemed ready yet or he’s heading out the door on loan.

I think that’s pretty much our options covered unless you guys have any ideas and that’s all they are really, options when what we need is a definitive solution to a scenario which could very easily be played out real soon.

Logic suggests that if Arsene Wenger were to make only one more signing this summer, it has to be in this position, it has to be. Whether that’s a B2B midfielder or an out and out DM remains to be seen but I seriously hope it’s one of the two.

It won’t be Arturo Vidal as he is joining Bayern Munich after Juventus agreed a £25.9m fee for player.

Other transfer rubbish:

Arsenal have seen a £31.3m bid for Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema rejected, according to reports. (Express)

The same paper suggests the Gunners are lining up Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Wojciech Szczesny could be off to join Yaya Sanogo at Ajax on loan for the season.

Finally, there’s a great interview with Petr Cech which has been covered by the Irish Independent. It’s worth a read imo.

Have a great Tuesday all…

155 thoughts on “Striker bid rejected! Coquelin injured, what would Arsene do?

  1. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning rico, good post. The answer to your question, we will be up shit creek. Just like last year when starting with three CB’s was asking for trouble and we got it. Not only that, Le Coq has not proved for a whole season yet, that he can keep up the good form.

  2. harshil says:

    Wow. “He’s not the strongest, he’s not the quickest and he’s certainly he’s not the tallest”. Is Coquelin any of these? Or was Gilberto Silva? Or Makelele? Or Roy Keane? Please do not spout nonsense.

  3. mjc says:

    The biggest issue with our squad is who will be the new Giles Grimandi??
    In which case the squad must be pretty close to ideal!

    Put another way, ask yourself how would Chelsea cope if Terry got injured? Or Matic?
    I personally think we will cope just fine….

  4. rico says:

    Morning Andrew and all..

    Just what I thought Andrew, an injury to Coq and we are in the mire and the ‘making fit’ will start all over again.

  5. rico says:

    If Ivan seriously believes we are on the verge of great things then he needs to give AW a kick in the pants and make sure he signs what/who we need this summer….

  6. Adam says:

    I don’t know mate. I don’t watch much German football but he doesn’t seem to get many games. In Spain he was awesome.

  7. scottfromoz says:

    Kondogbia, of the guys I’ve seen.
    He’d scare the shit out of Chelski and the like, but as I said the other day, will he or Coquelin sit on the bench?
    We need to find a 30 year old who is old school.

  8. Adam says:

    Scott. Hasn’t he been sold to some other club? Again, I have only really seen him when he came to the Emirates. He was ok that night but we were shockingly bad. Can’t remember him during the away leg or if he was even playing that night.

  9. scottfromoz says:

    Adam, he might have been….not sure mate.
    He’s young but as I said, he’s the pick of the few non Arsenal guys out there I’ve seen.
    An old hard head…..the player we thought and hoped Flamini was going to be for us.

  10. potter says:

    Towards the end of last season le Coq was tiring at the end of games and got taken off.He probably is not going to have the legs to last a whole season. We definitely need either cover or an improvement.

  11. Dublingunner says:

    Morning all, You have to be commended, Rico, for keeping fresh, up to date stories and interesting topical debates going, when there is clearly nothing of note happening apart from the usual meaningless pre-season tour and the team bonding pics to wet our appetites, Truth is I,m f**king bored with the inactivity of AFC, at the moment, are we even in talks with anyone, Wenger,s transfer paralysis has kicked in again.

  12. Lee says:

    Sterling trips up whilst on the ball with his first touch and then scores with his second touch a minute later!

  13. allezkev says:

    Debuchy for def-mid perhaps?

    In an emergency of course.

    Or Bellerin. I saw him play that role in a League Cup game a couple if years ago and he did really well…

    Wasn’t Peter Storey a full-back before he became a def-mid, or destroyer as the Press so nicely used to put it?

  14. Thulani says:

    We really need a cover but Jack is strong and not slow at all even Ramsey is not faster than Jack. Wenger should not be fooled by Le Coq’s emergence he wont do this job alone the whole season Wenger should be realistic because he knows how difficult is the PL.

  15. Wavy says:

    Morning all.
    What about Gary Medel? 4ft 8ins. A bulldog! Old, vertically challenged, mobile, murderous intent, but probably happy to sit on the bench and admire Le Coq, until he was needed! Oh and I guess he would be the right end of cheap!

  16. Breezy says:

    Honestly, I don’t think we’ll see a big name DM come in. I reckon AW was serious about bringing Cleverly in as cover. Good enough as a squad player for “smaller games” but not quite first choice… and he was free

  17. Dublingunner says:

    I think Wenger bringing in a DM, would be like admitting defeat,saying he was wrong, he has blatently refused to acknowledge this sole position, these past few seasons, and will continue to feel he has enough debth in this current squad, that can play that position if needed. He could revert to 2 deep sitting midfielders, i.e Coq or Arteta, along side Jack or Ramsey, allowing 3 attacking midfielders Sanchez, Cazorla and Ozil, playing behind the central striker.In his mind that would be sufficient cover for the Back 4.

  18. Malaga gooner says:

    We need to buy players that are better than what we have got, if that means le coqu becomes 2nd choice, so be it

  19. scottfromoz says:

    Joe, no idea mate……no interest either lol.
    City have no fans here at all.
    Roma……nah.
    Most Italians here that I know follow Juventus or either of the Milan clubs.

  20. Malaga gooner says:

    Scot that is what i hope
    Wenger has the base of a good squad, we need to buy players that are better
    Would coquelin get into chelsea, city or any tpp side

  21. eduardo says:

    Hayden was not part of the Asia touring party cos he was kept back for fitness training after his long term injury. Bielik got extra holiday time cos of his involvement in youth internationals during the summer.
    Glen Kamara is an out and out DM and he recently got a call up to the senior Finland squad.

    I don’t know why arteta is being written off by so many, Ramsey is our best box to box midfielder.

    I would also ask why shouldn’t Coquelin be able to play the full season, he aint a kid, Matic played 36 of cfc 38 league games last season, when gilberto was here he rarely missed a game.

    last week v Everton we did not start Coquelin and we did perfectly well, why shouldn’t Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta, Coquelin, Cazorla be enough to cover the 2 midfield positions, and Ox wants to play CM too. Flamini is till here, there are no real signs of him leaving – or have I missed something other than some twitter rumor.

    last summer we were told Bellerin and Coquelin could not be counted as “real” members of the first team squad, so who is to say we won’t have another one or two step up and prove they are “real” and can be counted upon.

  22. scottfromoz says:

    Would he?
    Did you actually watch him play last season?
    If so, you’d not have to ask that question.
    He was sensational.
    Whether he can repeat the performance is the only question, not if what’s he’s done was good enough.
    Shit, so often we complain young guys don’t get a chance.
    Here’s a case of one who so very nearly fell through the cracks, got a chance and blew everyone away, and you want him replaced?
    If we got a top DM in, he’d be entitled to want out.
    If he left and performed, Wenger is at fault……as usual.
    He filled the void.
    He was a missing piece.
    We need to strengthen elsewhere and get cover for him because he is most definitely good enough.

  23. scottfromoz says:

    Mate, for two days I’ve said if we sign a top class DM, either he or Coquelin will sit on the bench.
    One will get peeved pretty quickly.
    It won’t happen, IMO.

  24. tsgh says:

    Great post Rico.even though you slate mikel.Lol
    Potter you are spot on ‘re le coq.
    I get slated if I say it but his figures towards end of season for a 24 y.O was average imho.
    Martinez has been a cb for over 2 years now

  25. Joe says:

    I agree with Scott, sorry about that Scott. 🙂
    I’av been saying for some time that Wenger won’t be spending a lot of money on a player as back up to Coq a loan deal maybe the best bet or a freebie.

  26. tsgh says:

    Wavy meddling is far superior to le coq.and at 5’5 plays cb superbly too.Lol
    Watch scurrilous vs medel in the copa America

  27. Malaga gooner says:

    Ginge im not saying wenger will buy s world class dm. We need tp buy better than what we have to compete at the highest level.
    Big clubs improve their squads

  28. Joe says:

    Hopefully a full pre-season under Shad will help Coq’s fitness and stamina to help him last the whole match tsgh.

  29. rogerbij says:

    Its really not that difficult to understand guys: Its about not making do and coming 2nd, its about being strong with 2 quality players in every position if you want to win the league/go deep in CL. We dont have 2 quality players in DM.

    There is a high likelihood that ANY player will be injured/suspended/recovering for a chunk of games in the season. We could very well play 60 games. That is 30 for Le Coq and 30 for another DM. No one is sitting on the bench all season and sometimes could be used together (eg at Stamford Bridge).

    1 Community shield
    38 PL
    5? League cup
    6? FA cup
    10 CL (quarter finals)

    Yes, we *could * try to make do, but we are very likely to get caught short with an injury somewhere in the season. That is the point of Ricos post as I understand. And this is where PL titles are won and lost and where cup runs end. The margins are very fine at top level between winning and being second best.

    There is no sensible reason for Arsenal to run these risks anymore with our improved financial health. Buy a quality DM.

    And Lacazette 😉

  30. Joe says:

    I can’t disagree with anything Roger has written but I can’t see a manager who loves team sprite see him running the risk of upsetting a player that’s just had a season like Coq or the team.
    If he spends a large amount on a world class DM you’d expect him to start most games in our season.
    What effect will that have on Coq and other young players trying to make the break through to the first team.

  31. scottfromoz says:

    Roger, it’s all good and well to suggest what should happen, or what you’d like to see happen, but since when does Wenger agree with us??
    What truly isn’t easy is to understand or predict is what he will do and who he will buy.
    We can guess all we like but I can’t remember anyone coming up with the name Ozil two years ago.
    Sanchez was whispered about but most didn’t believe it anyway.
    Sit back, grab the popcorn and watch it unfold.
    It’s less stressful that way 🙂

  32. rico says:

    Another top quality CDM/B2B would allow rotation, and doubling up in the big games, heck we might even go further in the CL if we have a rock solid central pair available…. Keep Arteta for the so caller ‘lesser sides’…

  33. Geziah says:

    Good day all.

    The big debate is that Wenger needs to sign a great DM but who is this great DM? Maybe only Busquets, Matic could be classed in that category in the whole world. Next are the upcoming like Kondogbia, Carvahlo, Fernandinho/Fernando and I would have to place Le Coq in that group. So unless we can get Busquets or Matic would there be an improvement in that position?

    I doubt it highly. Yes he needs some competition but would u spend £30mill on a player to sit on the bench for most of the season?

    And you can’t say how great a player Nasri is when he played well for half a season and then say Le Coq is unproven because he only played well for half a season. Who plays well for a whole season anyway? Only the great players and even then they too have bad patches.

    We can play a double pivot with Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Cazorla if needs be. Wilshere has had 3 MOTM awards for England playing there so he is capable. And he might be better further forward but not better than Ozil.

  34. Wavy says:

    I agree Scott. All these players have been suggested, speculated about, fantasied to us bu, who will turn out to be the ‘new’ superstar? It will be a total unknown or a player we could only have admired from afar………we should all sit back and watch this space!
    Arsenal.com they’re the people who will tell us who we’ve got!

  35. Lee says:

    Scott, that’s why I thought Carvalho might be the one but I guess the price was the stumbling block…..

  36. frednerk says:

    Out of desparation wenger found the type
    of player to balance the team.
    For some reason or the other he has ignored
    all talk of a player sitting infront of the back four.
    Watching Coq’s first half a dozen games or so,
    it’s clear he wanted to make an impression,
    breaking play up at speed and chasing down,
    with only our little santi to help him.
    This position takes a lot of stamina to get right,
    a lot of the pro’s call it the engine -room.
    I know the Ox wants to play their and Jack,
    wenger is aware of this,and has been quoted as
    saying..Both Ox and Jack would need about 40 games
    to get that fitness.
    The last game I see Coq play was for 93mins on a big pitch
    then run up a very steep flight of stairs,with a big smile
    on his face.
    Time and games will help Coq,let’s hope anyway,
    because wenger seems reluctant once again to strengthen
    the position.

  37. rico says:

    Geziah – I’m not sure anyone is putting a £30 million price tag on a player to rotate with Coquelin, me personally, well I just want us to sign a guy who is bloody good at his job….

    A slightly younger and fitter Kallstrom would do…. 😉

  38. tsgh says:

    Burnley,and Everton have some gem of defensive midfielders too we can Nick.
    They don’t have to be exotic. Lol

  39. rogerbij says:

    Indeed Scott (1:44), only Wenger knows… my comment was more that it makes sense (to me) to buy a quality DM and eliminate risk from injuries/suspensions/fatigue.

    And like many say above, Le Coqs position last season was found/forced upon Wenger rather than being created specifically, which is probaby why he is loathe to buy another for that position. This is also why I thought Schneiderlin wouldve been an excellent fit for Arsenal (even at 25m) because he has a little more to his game creatively/passing wise so he would be more adaptable and attractive to the Arsenal way against teams where we can be a little more open.

    3 good options have passed us by: Schneiderlin, Vidal and Kondogbia, so I hope Arsene knows something I dont, otherwise I agree that it probably wont happen. Lars Bender (kev!) would be an excellent option because he is also CB cover.

    Ill give this one a rest…

  40. rogerbij says:

    Hi Drake, why do you think no Benzi then Drax? They are quite different players/positions… who was writing?

  41. rico says:

    I find it all bloody tedious too! One summer we’ll have our transfers done and dusted early so we can all sit back and forget about the transfer window.

    Still, I guess that’s called being proactive…. 😉

    But having said that, as long as we are all chatting about what a great squad we have come Sept 1st, I’ll be happy…. 😛

  42. Malaga gooner says:

    Patience Rico, we will make quality signings
    We’re just waiting for the big moves to start happening

  43. rico says:

    Mg, I’m a woman! I don’t do patience….. The male species taught me that… 😉

    Mr Dr disagrees though, she relies on them….

  44. rico says:

    I googled him Lee as I thought similar, £70m for an old man, only to find he’s still a spring chicken…

    But £70m? That’s two Alexis Sanchez quality….

  45. Drake says:

    Muller wont be sold, is one of pep favourites, he is first choice lewa is second and shwn was not rated by pep,but i may be wrong.

  46. Wavy says:

    Glad you enjoyed them. I like to get my teeth into something more sinuous, but each to their own.
    Suarez reinvigorated my need for meat!

  47. Micko says:

    Wath, I’d rather be a hammer than a nail thank-you !

    Funnily enough I haven’t heard Scott moaning about how Cech would kill Chezzer, wasn’t he his wing man not so long ago !

  48. Micko says:

    An established International goal-keeper on loan Wath, can’t see it, we’ll take the money and run I reckon.

  49. Micko says:

    If I lived to 100 rico I’d never be into these conspiracies, thats just me !

    Martinez, another one passing through imo, just a feeling in me water.

    As for Muller to United, probably one of the most arrogant fcukers out there but his worth on the pitch would be priceless, a fantastic player, gotta be a load of bollox !

  50. Wath says:

    Those poor ole nails Micko, they always get it on the head….

    Could be an interesting few days…

    Totally agree re Muller, what a loathsome twat but a fantastic footballer. Can’t see him wanting to join a crap manc side tho….. Then again money rules….

    Night all…

  51. Micko says:

    Wath, Arsenal and Tottenham, hammers and nails, enuf said !

    Muller is a legend in his own underpants at Bayern, never gonna happen !

    Nite all, up the Arsenal.

  52. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Lovelies and Hunkies.

    another good one boss. and a good question about Le Coq.

    I agree with Scott when he said it would be a 30 year old who will be Le coq’s sub.

    And here is my two penny opinion.

    I feel that AW is to do another Arteta and convert a player who used to play in an advanced position previously and who is very experienced across Europe. One who will not cost a penny and someone who AW surely loves.

    the name??? Yoann Gourcuff.

    it might surprise you,but honestly I feel that Gourcuff’s days as an AM are over. His injuries and age will be catching up with him and certainly, AW will see him as a successor to Arteta. He will be integrated slowly into the team and bit by bit will take over from Arteta. Gourcuff is the same age (29) as Arteta was when he came to AFC. And his skill and reading of the game will enable him to dictate from a deep lying midfield position (the Pivote position). He will play alongside and instead of Coquelin in certain games and will rotate with him. In this way he will not stifle Le coq’s growth and will help out in the midfield dept.

    And he will cost nothing.

    I might be mistaken and far off the mark. However I feel that if AW splashes out on Benzema then I can see him going for a freebie like YG.

  53. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Coquelin will play vs the Chavs, Shitty, Manure etc. Where defensive steel is needed. However I feel that against certain clubs, like Villa, Bournemouth, Norwich, Sunderland etc, where a DM is unnecessary, it will be Arteta and if bought in YG who will play the deep lying role. Cazorla played it to great effect but I feel that it inhibits Santi a bit since he has to play more back than usual.

  54. Drake says:

    Contract talks on benzema,samper to be our DM,scz yes he is off to rome…martinez still got the good age to learn from cech or may be wenger wants to have a strong no.1 and no.2 in cech and ospina

  55. rico says:

    Morning Adam, Lee, Devil, Drake and all..

    Sergi Samper it seems is to be our DM 😉

    No wonder Theo wants £120,000 if that Giroud story is true…

    Good time at the HHCC??

  56. Lee says:

    You and your rapier like wit were sorely missed….. the food was excellent as always and the company was top drawer!!

  57. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Morning Rico.

    I doubt AW would buy SS. Then again he might.

    And SS is not exactly a DM….but a B2B. Much in the AR mould. So I still am with Scott……a 29/30 year old to play with and rotate but not hinder Le Coq

  58. Drake says:

    Morning all devil why would we sign a 30year old dm when flamini and arteta are on 30s too?one thing i know is wenger on the past three years has signed a star player also players with potential sanogo,chambers…maybe it samper this time after benzema

  59. Hell Raising Devil says:

    I know and you are right Drake.

    However, AW like YG, he is 29, has lots of experience and is free.

    its a hunch.

    I would like younger better players bought…..but on past experiences I feel this might be just up AW’s street.

  60. Drake says:

    I do not believe giroud has signed a new contract with 130k a week that a big a raise for someone who was on 90k.i like to believe that it all about theo’s agent trying to get theo wages increased…if kos is not earning 130k a week why would giroud earn it?it does not make sense for me

  61. Drake says:

    Rico muzzi ozcan and kike marin are agents i trust,plus they support arsenal,futbol agent is reporting it too and another french agent…they are saying one thing benzema

  62. Adam says:

    Rico. We went to Dishoom in Shoreditch. The same place you came to with us. A 50 yard queue outside as we left, all waiting to catch a glimpse of Lee. 🙂
    The food was exceptional.

  63. rico says:

    I’m still not convinced Drake, would be an odd one for me. We’ll see I guess..

    Ah, those lentils and garlic naan were awesome Adam… 🙂 re Lee…

  64. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Seems that a 2 year loan deal is in the offing for Ches. Good. He will get to play plus AFC will keep him.

    Hopefully Ospina will stay on as number 2. That will be 2 top keepers for us.

  65. Adam says:

    True Rico. I had the garlic Nan last night as well. The slaw was great, as were the tossed greens. The Dishoom restaurants really do have the food/price/atmosphere thing nailed. We can’t wait until you come up again for lunch. 🙂

  66. rico says:

    That would be good for him Devil. Seems he doesn’t want out and only wants to improve and stay at Arsenal for the long-term. Have to admire him for that really…

  67. Drake says:

    Lee They both have a great record,kike marin was right on ozil,sanchez and di maria.muzzi ozcan know everything this summer manu,spurs,westham and mancity.plus kike marin has some inside infor on our spanish players he is always 1st to confirm contract talks

  68. tsgh says:

    Micko… come on don’t pretend conspiracy is the way forward. Isn’t Old Trafford the 8th wonder of the world? 🙂

    Morning Rico and all.

    Chelsea- Courtois and Bergovic
    Us- cech and Ospina/Scezzer/Martinez.

    Hurts to admit but I think Jose has outwitted AW again…

  69. Wavy says:

    DM? Cambiasso? Free and still an exceptional player, old enough to know he couldn’t play every game and also…..cheap!!
    Morning all.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading