Some Arsenal fans may think that these two former France under 19 stars, who helped Les Bleus to win that age group’s version of the Euros back in 2010, should be heading different directions as Francis Coquelin struggled at times in our midfield last season while the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette has been treated with universal acclaim by us Gooners.
However, it appears that Arsenal do owe the combative midfielder some thanks as he played a part in the former Lyon star’s decision to come to north London this summer. The 26-year old striker has already spoken about some of the reasons for Arsenal being such an attractive proposition for him, including the French connection with Wenger’s long reign and the likes of Vieira, Petit and especially Thierry Henry having played for us.
He also spoke about their being a fair few Frenchman in the current squad which would help him to settle, but Coquelin has played a bigger role than that, as an Evening Standard report explains, as the two have kept in contact since those international days and are clearly quite close, so Coquelin has had the chance to put in a lot of good words for the Gunners.
Lacazette said, “We’ve had a lot of contact over the last few years and even more over the last few weeks, of course, since it became increasingly likely that I would come to Arsenal.
“He has said only good things about Arsenal, which is not surprising because he wanted me to join the club. Even without that I still really wanted to come here.
“He stressed that it was a great club located in a fantastic city. He said I would not regret my decision to move here because of the people I’d be working with and, of course, the fans.”
Thanks Frank, and I think we will see more of the old confidence and control from Coquelin this season as well.
Sam P.