Arsenal have handed young midfielder Francis Coquelin a new contract after a string of impressive first-team performances, The Telegraph reports.
The Frenchman has featured in defence for Arsenal in recent weeks due to the spate of injuries within the Gunners squad. However, Coquelin suffered a hamstring problem in last night’s FA Cup win over Leeds and is expected to be ruled out for at least three weeks. His long term future with the Gunners has been sealed with a new deal confirmed at the Emirates Stadium. The 20 year old has made 12 first team appearances in this campaign after spending last season on loan with Ligue 1 outfit Lorient.
Coquelin made his first team debut back in 2008 aged 17 and has vastly improved to become a versatile player for Arsene Wenger to use when needed. The Frenchman would be annoyed that an injury setback has cost him his place in the first team for a few weeks, but is delighted with securing a new long-term deal at the club. Wenger has been deploying Coquelin at left back due to injuries with Andre Santos and Kieran Gibbs, but may now have to use young defender Ignasi Miquel for this weekend’s game against Swansea City.
Miquel enhanced his reputation with a solid full game against Leeds at the Emirates Stadium and helped the Gunners into the fourth round. The Spaniard believes that Arsenal’s defence is improving more and more and will help the attacking flow of the side. Miquel said: ‘We knew that if we kept a clean sheet, we would probably win the game. Because we are a good team and we know we are going to create chances and score goals’.
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