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Francis Coquelin: What Arsene Wenger told us after the Spurs first half

Written by Renzo on October 4, 2011 – 4:45

The Gunning Hawk - ForumFrancis Coquelin

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin revealed that the players are very disappointed after Sunday’s defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking to Arsenal Player after the 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, the Frenchman admitted that the Gunners didn’t do well in the first 45 minutes of the game, revealing that manager Arsene Wenger asked his players to be quicker when on the ball, which is just what they did in the first part of the second half.

Asked what the players can take from a disappointing result, the midfielder declared that everyone should be focused on his job, work hard in training and wait for positive results to come.

On his personal performance, Coquelin concluded by saying that he did well but as it’s almost always the case with young players there are areas of his game that can improve as he added that he will continue to train hard in order to fix any weaknesses in his game.

On Sunday, the youngster said:

[What Arsene Wenger told us at half-time?] I don’t think we’ve done very well in the first half, in the second half the manager asked us to move the ball quicker, that’s what we’ve done for the first 20 minutes.

After I think we were a bit down but overall, as I said, everyone is really disappointed, you know when you come to Tottenham, obviously it’s big rivalry, you hope to win the game and to go home 2-1 down it’s really a shame.

[What can we take from the derby?] You know, I think everyone needs to focus on what they’re doing, keep working hard in training. We’ve got a good side so I think we’ll soon get the results.

[My performance?] Obviously there is always things to get better, I’ve got still a lot of work to work on so I keep training and obviously I can do better than that.

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  • guns says:
    October 4, 2011 at 10:18

    wow, u really figured it out

    Reply to this comment »
  • HP says:
    October 4, 2011 at 7:09

    He really did impress in this match. He stopped Tottenham’s attack a lot of times and was really strong in the midfield. I hope he can continue this way as it could be really important for us

    Reply to this comment »
  • Youssef says:
    October 4, 2011 at 11:13

    For me Coquelin is better than Frimpong, Both of them are fighters but Coquelin is more intelligent. and he knows when to tackle and where to be when the opponents have the ball.

    He will be a good cover for Song when je will go the CAF.

    If everybody is fit, I would like to see this trio in Midfield: Coquelin, Song and Wilshere

    All of them are fighters, and all of them have a good potential and they know what to do with ball.

    @arsenaloudin, During 14 years, Arsenal are playing a quick passing football and guess who teached them. it’s Arsene Wenger !!! so, it’s not because time is bad for our team, we will start to blame every thing. In life, things are not always pink ! but we should be strong and handle it intelligently.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Toye says:
      October 4, 2011 at 13:22

      Coquelin is better than Ramsey cause he is technically good enough to be an attacking player with a good defensive background.he will not likely be ball watching when Arsenal is about to concede

      Reply to this comment »
      • Rolf says:
        October 4, 2011 at 14:44

        coquelin is pretty decent.. he can work in ramsey’s position too since defensively he was very good but he’s also a decent passer and i noticed that he always passes the ball forward rather than backwards which ramsey always seems to do.. ramsey is supposed to be the playmaker and create chances but he’s always moving backwards.. he needs to change his game…

        Reply to this comment »
    • gooner 11 says:
      October 4, 2011 at 13:33

      well said.. well, loans do make wonders to some players.. just take wellbeck, cleverley, wilshere, sturridge and now coquelin for example..

      Reply to this comment »
    • slugboy says:
      October 4, 2011 at 22:20

      we need couquelin, song and frimpong in a midfield along with two wingers and a striker. the three would pressurise the other team

      Reply to this comment »
    • kiwigunner says:
      October 5, 2011 at 7:27

      Agree 100% Youssef. Le Coq looks a class act in the making. I think it could be worth giving him more starts, as Ramsey has been pretty disappointing

      Reply to this comment »
  • ayorinde rotimi says:
    October 4, 2011 at 11:28

    Wenger is not ready to win anything for the club,They should sack him

    Reply to this comment »
    • Toye says:
      October 4, 2011 at 13:09

      Why do you guys always talk as if Wenger is the problem.What about the players? i am sure you are not a professional footballer,the question is ‘if you think you know Arsenal’s problem,how come you think the more than 20 coaches in Arsenal can not see the same thing and are working hard to make things better.You can only teach a player ,you cannot do it for them

      Reply to this comment »
      • pablo says:
        October 4, 2011 at 14:41

        I’m not a ‘wenger out’ man, not yet anyhow. I think that Arsenal fans, or some of them, blame Wenger for the standard of players that we have at the moment. If we are all honest, we know that the current team is not what have grown to expect at Arsenal. So, although the players shoulder some responsibility, if they simply do not have the skill to play the way Wenger wants them to, then there is an argument that Wenger is to blame as he is the person that chooses which players are bought and sold.

        Reply to this comment »
        • tonygunner says:
          October 5, 2011 at 23:05

          There lies the rub.

          Reply to this comment »
    • Jack says:
      October 4, 2011 at 16:04

      Wenger shouldn’t go because our players aren’t performing up to scratch. Yes, he does need to work on defending set pieces and other areas of defence. But at least give him some time to dod that before you jump straight to conclusions and sack him.

      Reply to this comment »
  • tope magnus Nigeria says:
    October 4, 2011 at 12:00

    can’t imagine coquelin taking over a midfield of modric and parker, just like JW controlled xavi and iniesta the other day which i tag the game of my life. We played better than we did at blackburn, liverpool and swansea but failed to get the 3point which is what we need. @ayo rotimi, i bet u becam a fan after 2005 else you’ll know better. I feel arteta is tired and needs rest.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Youssef says:
      October 4, 2011 at 13:36

      Yes JW controlled Xavi and Iniesta the other day, But look who was there in the middle for us. Song, JW and Cesc.
      If coquelin was helped by JW and Song in the middle, you would say the opposite.
      We shouldn’t compare JW to Coquelin, they are 2 different players ;)

      Reply to this comment »
    • Rolf says:
      October 4, 2011 at 14:49

      spot on tope.. wilshere really ran the midfield last season against the likes of xavi and iniesta and coquelin did the same in the 1st half against spurs… 1st half cud have been so much better had it not been for ramsey’s poor game… he gave the ball away almost everytime he was on it… yes, he did score in the 2nd half but he didn’t influence the game and he should coz he is playing in arsenal’s most imp position… got to find an answer quick….. shud change the formation becoz 3 in midfield doesn’t work at the moment coz they can’t work together and create chances… either buy a world class play maker or change the formation is what i think wenger shud do…

      Reply to this comment »
  • Fred Shreves says:
    October 4, 2011 at 12:33

    Ramsey was a massive disappointment. A huge number of misplaced passes and not plugging the holes in front of the back 4. Should have been subbed, scored then left spuds player free to shoot

    Reply to this comment »
    • Toye says:
      October 4, 2011 at 13:16

      Are you seeing that for the first time? He does it 90% of the time. Just take your time to check out old matches. The most annoying thing about the guy is that he rarely gives correct passes to attacking players.it is either too long or too short or misplaced or he gives you the kind of pass that is difficult to control so that by the time you finally do he is in a position to collect and score.The only time he comes alive is when he can sniff a goal.Check out old matches to confirm.Yesterday he failed to track opposing mid-fielders causing dangerous situations for us.Check him out please.he has always been like that.

      Reply to this comment »
    • tonygunner says:
      October 5, 2011 at 23:16

      Yes, Ramsey’s starting to show some disturbing weaknesses. Apart from his goal he was shocking on Sunday. I can’t believe Wenger is blind to that. If he performs like that again he will find himself on the bench or worse. Also if Wenger still keeps starting him with performances like that, it will be deja vu Denilson, Diaby, and time for him (AW) to go.
      I’ve said this before, but we must remember he is only 19 and maybe has been over hyped beyond his true ability. Making him captain of Wales was an example of this.

      Reply to this comment »
  • Berk Face says:
    October 4, 2011 at 13:35

    Only Arsenal can equalise in a derby and the players mindset changes to ‘oh my god but what if they take the lead again?’

    Reply to this comment »
  • canapol says:
    October 4, 2011 at 14:48

    Coquelin was the best player by far for Arsenal that day. He besically kept Modric in check and didnt allow him to have his way. Ramsey, despite his goal was very poor however and this is not the first time, I know he had a terrible injury but I don’t think he was ever really top class to begin with, hope he proves me wrong. His defending is dreadful, he rarely has the energy or pace to track back. Without Cesc there to help him out of a jam, he gives the ball away constantly.
    Should have brought on the little Russian and let him play central midfield, see what he can do in his natural position.

    Reply to this comment »
  • true talk says:
    October 4, 2011 at 14:53

    Ramsey is Arsenal’s problem…..pls jack wilshere get well soon.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Lovemore Harare says:
    October 4, 2011 at 15:00

    I agree with Wenger; Arsenal have become one of the slowest teams in the Baclays league. They are not first on the bal. Being a team of young people you expect that they are first on any loose ball. They take forver to move the ball from their half to the opponent’s half. The culprit is Ramsy. Even if ther eis need to break quickly, Ramsey always passes backwards.

    This team is not as bad if Wenger improves on team selection. Ramsey does not deserve a place in the team. he ia good player but as of now has not qualified to command a regular position.

    Wenger should be able to improve on tactics at any time of the game. It seems that he cannot read the game and change. Once he starts with a formation he cannot change.

    Wenger’s biggest let down is team selection and positions.

    Reply to this comment »
    • summerbreez says:
      October 4, 2011 at 21:41

      I agree with you MR wenger dose not get involved in with the match and he dose not change tactics he puts a plan and waits and hopes for the best

      I haven’t seen him take a player out of a game no matter how bad he may perform

      Reply to this comment »
    • tonygunner says:
      October 5, 2011 at 23:26

      Wenger’s biggest problem is what you said first. Lack of tactical knowhow and the ability to change the game in our favour when things are going badly.
      He never had this problem in his first 8 years because he put together a team of players
      who rarely had the problems we have now (like no defence).
      That was to his credit, but now his Achilles is showing.

      Reply to this comment »
  • Jack says:
    October 4, 2011 at 16:10

    I believe Ramsey needs to improve. He should be reprimanded for the way he played on Sunday. Accurate passing is a must for a player that is attempting to run our midfield. But Coquelin can’t run the midfield on his own that is too much pressure for a young player like him and with Alex Song most likely helping out in defence we need an experienced midfielder like Arteta to show Coquelin the ropes and really get him used to playing for a club like Arsenal.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Mken says:
    October 4, 2011 at 16:20

    yes ! arsenal is slower in their games, why? cauz they are students (kids) and still remain a students as far as we have the same board (Executives) who don’t keep experienced players. The board is their to trade on young players and even make money more than the clubs who win the prestigious cups. Solution: 1) the board has to go 2) Wenger has run out of ideas, so?

    Reply to this comment »
  • Francis Angrey says:
    October 4, 2011 at 16:28

    Ramsey is not the only AFC player who likes passing the ball. Most of them do. They give the impression they’re afraid going forward. taking the game to the opponents.

    Reply to this comment »
    • zico says:
      October 4, 2011 at 23:20

      he is in a position to move the ball forward …arteta play behind him…i wont mind song, coquelin and arteta in the mid pending arrival of wilshere and diaby?… wenger need to psych up diaby before his return… his ability with a little of passion he could be named for PFA come april

      Reply to this comment »
      • kiwigunner says:
        October 5, 2011 at 7:31

        I reckon Diaby has the potential to be a really good player for us if he stays fit.

        Reply to this comment »
      • tonygunner says:
        October 5, 2011 at 23:32

        Bullshit.
        Diaby has never showed passion and never will. His only ability is clever ball play. Aside from that he is erratic and lazy.
        He does not have the Arsenal spirit, but he’s not the only one.

        Reply to this comment »
  • Francis Angrey says:
    October 4, 2011 at 16:37

    Ramsey’s not the only AFC player who likes passing the ball backward. Most of them in the team do it. They give the impression they’re afraid going forward.

    Reply to this comment »
  • TrueGooner says:
    October 4, 2011 at 18:12

    We have a slow midfield at the moment. Arteta is too slow for the arsenal way and Ramsey I don’t know what to say. Wenger has to be partly blame also. There are times when you don’t have the personnel to play your mean position, you have to switch position and see what happens. We need to go to a formation that utilizes two strikers. either park and Chamak needs to start along side RVP. (I feel that Chamak will score goals playing along side RVP or Park or allow them to score with his ball holding ability). We need to go to some form of 442 until others become available. Players should take the greatest responsibility to close people down. No one prevent that kid form taking that strike that is why he pull it off. players stand around and dont even make runs. When they are down they play like they are defending a lead , while spurs played like they needed a goal even though they were up

    Reply to this comment »
    • tonygunner says:
      October 5, 2011 at 23:37

      When are we going to see Park. If he’s so good (and I don’t doubt he is) why hasn’t Wenger played him? Was he ever even on the bench yet.?

      Reply to this comment »
  • TrueGooner says:
    October 4, 2011 at 18:14

    Also wenger needs to start players based on merit and form and not favortism. Prove that you belong in the starting 11 before you have a spot and do substitutions when needed to make a point.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Titi No14 says:
    October 4, 2011 at 19:27

    GET TH14 in now before it’s to late, who else do you all think can run ARSENAL F.C

    Reply to this comment »
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