Arsenal: Francis Coquelin Can’t Just Keep Getting An “A” For Effort

Arsenal’s win against Hull City again brought to light in inefficiencies that Francis Coquelins brings, but how long will he be relied upon?

Arsenal were once in a position where Francis Coquelin became a savior. He was exactly what the Gunners needed and it had been a long time coming. His zeal in the middle of the pitch was something we supporters had not seen in far too long.

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And for a year or two, it worked. Coquelin was an anchor. Statistically, he was one of the best defensive midfielders in England.

For the most part, nothing has changed. Coquelin is still that exact same guy who has no fears, rampages up and down the pitch and will always be ready to attack an opposing player with the ball. For that, he always deserves our respect.

But there are two inherent problems there. First of all, seeing as how he does not change, he also does not improve. He is still the same guy. Not afraid to tackle, but complete allergic to doing anything constructive offensively.

You may call that nitpicky, but you kind of have to be when you’re trying to figure out why the Gunners look to be falling short yet again. You have to start picking out positions that could use improvement and subsequently making those improvements.

Just because Coquelin was the savior once doesn’t mean he is always going to be. Which is the other problem in the fact that he never changes – Arsenal’s needs do change.

They don’t just need a bruiser rampaging around the pitch. They have grown from the time when he came into the midfield like a knight in shining armor and their needs are more complex than that. Essentially, they need exactly what the ideal Granit Xhaka it – someone who can not just bust things up, but control.

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They need that steadying presence who has the ability to pick out the pass.

Then, that frees up the second midfield role to be whatever they need most on any given day. Lately, that means a midfielder with offensive push. Someone like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was brilliant yet again against Hull City.

Coquelin will have plenty to do even if he gets dropped from the starting XI, which he should. My fear is that Wenger, who is known for sticking with things for far too long (Flaminit, Arteta, Walcott, Mertesacker, Monreal) and avoiding the new flavor (Campbell, Lucas, Welbeck, Ox) in favor of the old, will overthink this and keep giving Coquelin his usual “A” for effort.

That used to be enough. It was something the Gunners didn’t have. But now that they’ve had it, we can see clearly that it wasn’t enough. Not to mention the fact that he has actually looked physically weak this year. Seeing him get tossed off of Paul Pogba and Eden Hazard made me cringe.

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Xhaka is back now, and if Wenger is a smart man, he will take the upgrade and run with it. But you just never know with him.