Did he make much of a case to play more regularly? He has 3 weeks to prove himself, can you see him putting together a run and being picked ahead of Arteta for a while? Could he be the DM the Team needs, or are DM reinforcements still required, even with Coquelin and Frimpong in the wings?
Did well in the second half, the whole team were flat in the first. Squad player at best though, I think he would be good as a defensive reinforcement used as a sub.
I don't think he's physical enough to be a DM. I know Arteta isn't a big guy but he uses his intelligence and skill to muscle opponents/shield the ball. If only Diaby wasn't so offensive, he's the perfect size for a DM.
Im still wondering over this sentence, "I know Arteta isn't a big guy but he uses his intelligence and skill to muscle opponents/shield the ball." Are you saying that you believe in telekinesis? Are you struggling to reconcile admitting Arteta is a good DM, with those set in stone preconceived notions about how we need a big, physical DM? Good luck with that! Anyway, Coquelin still has a lot of time to develop. One of the problems of being a top 4 club is that young players need to be patient. They need to realize that they will probably be a squad player until they hit their prime at 25/26. They can't all be a Wilshere. He may still grow into the team. I will agree with Bobby (not on the physical thing), that midfielders that play a deeper role need experience and smarts, you just don't have that at 21.
Coquelin played very well. You only need to look at the amount of work our defense had to do to know that. But it's one game. Earlier in the season he didn't do well. All this performance does is show he is capable of good games, and justify him getting more chances in the future.
He is good at intercepting the play in the way that Flamini used to do, but I thought he was rather average on the ball. But, because he does not play week in week out, it's not easy for him to find that flow.
Interceptions, tackling, the way he cropped up in very good attacking positions, and also the way he was able to drive forward (kinda like Wilshere but not quite as good). He showed me he can be good enough if he does all that consistently. Agreed that his passing wasn't quite up to scratch possibly through lack of games.
I don't see what's so wrong with what I said? Arteta calms play down and he's good at those niggly fouls that ease pressure. But time and time again, we've seen teams play their way through the middle of our midfield because of how light-weight we are. I think we need a big defensive-minded midfielder that will hussle teams when they have the ball. Give them something to think about, rush them to make mistakes. Somebody with more of a presence than Arteta. If you have Arteta and Vieira both running at you trying to dispossess you, which one are you going to be more worried about?
For a DM he spent an awful lot of time in the opposistions half. If anything he played like a Box to Box MF which i'd rather diaby did. I dont like him especially with his silly yellow boots but i'll give him a small chance. Mainly dislike his rants every so often stating he will be gone if he doesnt play more often. If he played better when he was given a chance then maybe he would get selected.
He's very very average. I am not a fan. Not defensive enough to play as a DM and not skillful enough to play as a CM.(at this level anyway)
I still think he can be a very good squad player. He can cover at right back or left back and can play in midfield, but I doubt he wants to be a squad player. Probably wants to play week in week out and if he moves on in the summer, then good luck to him.
I must be the only one who thinks he's going to grow into a brilliant, unspectacular player who will effectively be a cross between Arteta and Gilberto Silva.
Must be the only one who rates Coquelin! If given the chances others are ( Walcott ) we'll have a very good CM on our hands.
I thought he was rubbish today, too slow, not physical enough to give our defence the cover they need and he seemed to go forward more leaving Diaby to sit deep (would of prefered it the other way around). Ramsey should have started in his place. Coq needs to be relegated to the subs bench and impress when eh gets the odd chances like Ramsey has recently.
