Francis Coquelin
Encyclopedia
Francis Coquelin is a French
football player who currently plays for English
club Arsenal
. He plays as a defensive midfielder
, but can also be utilized at right midfield
or at right back
. Coquelin is a French youth international
and currently plays on the under-21 team
.
, Mayenne
, Coquelin began his career playing for AS Laval Bourny before departing in 2005 for the biggest club in the commune, Stade Lavallois
. Coquelin spent three years at the club before being spotted by renowned Arsenal
scout Gilles Grimandi
, while on international duty, playing in a 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
elite round qualification match against Israel
.
and Szombathelyi Haladás
, and made his competitive first team debut for Arsenal in a 6–0 win over Sheffield United
on 23 September 2008, coming on as a substitute for Fran Mérida
to play at right back. Coquelin scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt in a reserve
match against Stoke City
on 5 October 2008, shooting powerfully in from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot.
during the 2009-10 season, playing 12 times and scoring twice. On 22 September 2009 he made his first start for the first team against West Bromwich Albion
in the League Cup
third round, playing 58 minutes before he was replaced by Mark Randall
. He featured again in the League Cup, this time as a second half substitute for Fran Mérida
in the 2-1 victory against Liverpool. Francis made a disappointing first FA Cup
start in a 3–1 loss to Stoke City. Playing in an unfamiliar right back position, he was substituted in the second half for Aaron Ramsey
.
on a loan deal that saw him play his football in France throughout the 2010–11 season. He made his Lorient debut as a second-half substitute in the 2–1 home defeat to Nice on 14 August 2010. Francis grabbed his first assist as Lorient lost 6–3 to Lille. After beating one Lille player, Coquelin played a through ball for Kevin Gameiro for Lorient's opener. Coquelin received his first red card while playing at right back against Valenciennes. He receive the second yellow card after a hand ball decision. Coquelin scored his first goal in professional football as FC Lorient
beat Stade Rennais F.C. 2–1, Francis scored the winner from close range after Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez
had spilled a Morgan Amalfitano
long range effort. In the latter stages of the season Coquelin was heavy used on the right hand side of midfield. He completed his loan with Lorient making 24 appearances in Ligue 1
, one appearance in the Coupe de France
and scoring one goal. Sky Sports
reported that Lorient manager Christian Gourcuff
was keen to resign Coquelin as well as his Arsenal team mate Gilles Sunu
on an additional year's loan.
with France, Francis Coquelin returned to Arsenal and on 28 August 2011 made his first team league debut against Manchester United. Coquelin played 62 minutes in the 8–2 defeat before being substituted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
. Coquelin made his second Premier League start for Arsenal in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite Arsenal losing the game 2–1, Coquelin was voted as Arsenal.com’s Man of the Match by fans for the first time.
having earned caps for the under-17s
, under-18s
, under-19s
, under-20s
and under-21s
. Coquelin played a key role in France winning the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
, starting 4 of France's 5 matches. In the semi-final against Croatia, Coquelin skipped past three challenges and slipped a pass through for Cédric Bakambu
to score the winning goal and put France into the final.
Francis Coquelin, as well as Arsenal team mate Gilles Sunu
, were named in France under-20
's final 21-man squad that competed at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
. Francis started and completed all seven of France's world cup games, as France finished fourth in Colombia.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
football player who currently plays for English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. He plays as a defensive midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, but can also be utilized at right midfield
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or at right back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Coquelin is a French youth international
France national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
and currently plays on the under-21 team
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
.
Club career
Born in LavalLaval, Mayenne
Laval is a commune in the Mayenne department in north-western France.It lies on the threshold of Brittany and on the border between Normandy and Anjou. Its citizens are called Lavallois.-Geography:...
, Mayenne
Mayenne
Mayenne is a department in northwest France named after the Mayenne River.-History:Mayenne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. The northern two thirds correspond to the western part of the former province of Maine...
, Coquelin began his career playing for AS Laval Bourny before departing in 2005 for the biggest club in the commune, Stade Lavallois
Stade Lavallois
Stade Lavallois Mayenne Football Club is a French association football club based in Laval. The club was formed on 17 July 1902 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second level of French football. Laval plays its home matches at the Stade Francis Le Basser located in the city and is managed by...
. Coquelin spent three years at the club before being spotted by renowned Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
scout Gilles Grimandi
Gilles Grimandi
Gilles Grimandi is a retired French footballer, who currently is a scout for Arsenal.- Club career :...
, while on international duty, playing in a 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship was the 26th UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, UEFA's premier football tournament for players under the age of 17. The tournament was held in Turkey from 4 May to 16 May 2008...
elite round qualification match against Israel
Israel national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
.
2008–09 season
In July 2008, Coquelin joined Arsenal from Stade Lavallois following a successful trial with the club. Although he suffered a thigh injury which cut the trial short, Coquelin impressed and was subsequently offered a deal to stay in North London. Coquelin played for the first team in Arsenal's pre-season matches against BarnetBarnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
and Szombathelyi Haladás
Szombathelyi Haladás
Szombathelyi Haladás is a Hungarian football club based in Szombathely. Haladás is the Hungarian word for progress. The club, which was founded in 1919, plays its home games at Rohonci úti Stadion which has a capacity of 12,000 . The club colours are green and white.Haladás reached the Hungarian...
, and made his competitive first team debut for Arsenal in a 6–0 win over Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on 23 September 2008, coming on as a substitute for Fran Mérida
Fran Mérida
Francisco "Fran" Mérida Pérez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Braga on a loan from Atlético Madrid as a midfielder.-Playing style:...
to play at right back. Coquelin scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt in a reserve
Arsenal F.C. Reserves
Arsenal Reserves are the reserve team of Arsenal Football Club.They have been members of the FA Premier Reserve League Southern Division since its foundation in 1999. They play their home games at Underhill Stadium, which is also the home of Barnet FC. The team mainly consists of Under-21 players...
match against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 5 October 2008, shooting powerfully in from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot.
2009–10 season
Coquelin was a regular for Arsenal F.C. ReservesArsenal F.C. Reserves
Arsenal Reserves are the reserve team of Arsenal Football Club.They have been members of the FA Premier Reserve League Southern Division since its foundation in 1999. They play their home games at Underhill Stadium, which is also the home of Barnet FC. The team mainly consists of Under-21 players...
during the 2009-10 season, playing 12 times and scoring twice. On 22 September 2009 he made his first start for the first team against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
third round, playing 58 minutes before he was replaced by Mark Randall
Mark Randall (footballer)
Mark Leonard Randall is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Chesterfield FC after being released by Arsenal at the end of the 2010-11 season...
. He featured again in the League Cup, this time as a second half substitute for Fran Mérida
Fran Mérida
Francisco "Fran" Mérida Pérez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Braga on a loan from Atlético Madrid as a midfielder.-Playing style:...
in the 2-1 victory against Liverpool. Francis made a disappointing first FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
start in a 3–1 loss to Stoke City. Playing in an unfamiliar right back position, he was substituted in the second half for Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron James Ramsey is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for the premier league club Arsenal and is the captain of the Wales national football team...
.
Loan to FC Lorient
Coquelin opted for a move to FC LorientFC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
on a loan deal that saw him play his football in France throughout the 2010–11 season. He made his Lorient debut as a second-half substitute in the 2–1 home defeat to Nice on 14 August 2010. Francis grabbed his first assist as Lorient lost 6–3 to Lille. After beating one Lille player, Coquelin played a through ball for Kevin Gameiro for Lorient's opener. Coquelin received his first red card while playing at right back against Valenciennes. He receive the second yellow card after a hand ball decision. Coquelin scored his first goal in professional football as FC Lorient
FC Lorient
Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian...
beat Stade Rennais F.C. 2–1, Francis scored the winner from close range after Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez
Nicolas Douchez
Nicolas Douchez is a French football goalkeeper who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the French Ligue 1.-Toulouse:In 2005, Douchez signed for Toulouse FC...
had spilled a Morgan Amalfitano
Morgan Amalfitano
Morgan Amalfitano is a French professional footballer who plays for Marseille, as a midfielder. He was available on a free transfer at the end of the 2010/11 football season.-External links:* at playerhistory.com...
long range effort. In the latter stages of the season Coquelin was heavy used on the right hand side of midfield. He completed his loan with Lorient making 24 appearances in Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
, one appearance in the Coupe de France
Coupe de France
The Coupe Charles Simon, commonly known as the Coupe de France , is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organized by the French Football Federation...
and scoring one goal. Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
reported that Lorient manager Christian Gourcuff
Christian Gourcuff
Christian Gourcuff in Hanvec, Brittany is a French football manager and former player. He currently manages French Ligue 1 side Lorient....
was keen to resign Coquelin as well as his Arsenal team mate Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu is a French professional footballer who plays in France for Lorient as a striker. Sunu is a French youth international and currently plays on the under-21 team.-Career:...
on an additional year's loan.
Return to Arsenal
After spending pre-season at the U-20 World Cup2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
with France, Francis Coquelin returned to Arsenal and on 28 August 2011 made his first team league debut against Manchester United. Coquelin played 62 minutes in the 8–2 defeat before being substituted by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alexander Mark David "Alex" Oxlade-Chamberlain is an English footballer who plays for Arsenal as a winger. After rising to prominence with Southampton during the 2010-11 season, he signed for Arsenal in August 2011...
. Coquelin made his second Premier League start for Arsenal in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite Arsenal losing the game 2–1, Coquelin was voted as Arsenal.com’s Man of the Match by fans for the first time.
International career
Francis is a French youth internationalFrance national youth football team
The France national youth football team are the national under-20, under-19, under-18, under-17 and under-16 football teams of France and are controlled by the Fédération Française de Football. The youth teams of France participate in tournaments sanctioned by both FIFA and UEFA and also...
having earned caps for the under-17s
France national under-17 football team
The France national under-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is held every four years...
, under-18s
France national under-18 football team
The France national under-18 football team is the national under-18 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team serves as a feeder team to the under-19 team as its matches aren't competitive...
, under-19s
France national under-19 football team
The France national under-19 football team is the national under-19 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the annual UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. They were the 2010 champions of the competition having won on home soil...
, under-20s
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
and under-21s
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
. Coquelin played a key role in France winning the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
2010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
, starting 4 of France's 5 matches. In the semi-final against Croatia, Coquelin skipped past three challenges and slipped a pass through for Cédric Bakambu
Cédric Bakambu
Cédric Bakambu is a French football player who currently plays for Ligue 1 club Sochaux. He operates primarily in the lead striker role. Bakambu is a French youth international and has represented his country at both under-18 and under-19 level. He was a part of the team that won the 2010 UEFA...
to score the winning goal and put France into the final.
Francis Coquelin, as well as Arsenal team mate Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu
Gilles Sunu is a French professional footballer who plays in France for Lorient as a striker. Sunu is a French youth international and currently plays on the under-21 team.-Career:...
, were named in France under-20
France national under-20 football team
The France national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years and the Toulon Tournament, which is held every May when football league...
's final 21-man squad that competed at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
. Francis started and completed all seven of France's world cup games, as France finished fourth in Colombia.
Career statistics
Statistics accurate as of 29 November 2011| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Carling Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2008–09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lorient FC Lorient Football Club Lorient-Bretagne Sud is a French association football club based in Lorient. The club was founded in 1926 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Lorient plays its home matches at the Stade du Moustoir located within the city. The team is managed by Christian... (loan) |
2010-11 2010–11 Ligue 1 The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Marseille were the defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011... |
24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 1 |
| Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
2011–12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | 27 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 1 | |
Club
Arsenal Youth- Premier Academy LeaguePremier Academy LeagueThe Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
: 2008–09 - FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
: 2008–09
International
FranceFrance national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
-
- UEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-19 Football ChampionshipThe European Under 19 Football Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. The competition has been held since 1948. It was originally called the FIFA junior tournament, until it was taken over by UEFA in 1955...
: 20102010 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Bracket:-Semi-finals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:4 goals Daniel Pacheco3 goals Zvonko Pamić Cédric Bakambu Alexandre Lacazette...
- UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
External links
- Profile at Arsenal.com