Why has Francis Coquelin’s dip in form been so costly for Arsenal?

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During the 2014-15 season, when Francis Coquelin returned from his loan at Charlton Athletic, he seemed to be to be a revolution for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.

After making a few substitute appearances, he truly won over the Arsenal fans after an incredible performance in the heart of midfield with Spanish magician Santi Cazorla against Manchester City. Two seasons later it feels as if Coquelin is at a crossroads. He seems to have lost his way in a midfield that is continually losing confidence.

With Granit Xhaka lacking the expected ability to win the ball back, the role has remained with Francis Coquelin, but the Frenchman seems to be missing his partner in crime Santi Cazorla. He is lacking confidence, faith in his own ability, and a partner in the pivot role who can dictate the game on his behalf.

Coquelin’s performances during the past two seasons were made by his ability to win the ball back, and when he is on form there are few that are better than him at this. However, he could rely on Cazorla to work alongside him, and dictate the play from deep.

There is no doubt that the Spaniard has been a huge loss for Arsenal, but it seems to be a poor excuse when playing next to a £35 million signing in Xhaka, who has admittedly been disappointing, to say the least.

Coquelin is crucial to Arsenal’s side because of how well he can win the ball back. However, this season when he’s been asked to step up to the big occasions, such as against Chelsea, he has failed. Eden Hazard brushed him off the ball as if he wasn’t even there, and there is no way that the same Coquelin from two years ago would have allowed such a thing to happen. Even taking a yellow card would have been more sensible than allowing the Belgian winger to run freely at his back four, and that’s where the true problem lies for Arsenal.

With Coquelin’s form in freefall, Arsenal’s protection is crumbling. Full-backs Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin, who are so often explosive offensively are being caught out more and more. They are both outstanding defenders, but their willingness to get forward without the correct protection is proving costly. Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi have never looked as vulnerable as a partnership as they did against Chelsea, either. Again, protection being a huge problem.

Of course, Coquelin is not solely to blame for Arsenal’s dip in form, but it certainly has not helped. Aaron Ramsey is yet to find form this season, along with Xhaka. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has proven to be the club’s best midfielder in recent weeks, but the Englishman seems rather frustrated in a side that simply cannot find their form. Coquelin’s long-term future at Arsenal was sealed in January, but Arsenal may have to look for another ball winning midfielder to compete with Coquelin for his place in the side, and maybe even to play alongside Coquelin against the bigger clubs. Depth in key areas h

Coquelin’s long-term future at Arsenal was sealed in January, but Arsenal may have to look for another ball winning midfielder to compete with Coquelin for his place in the side, and maybe even to play alongside Coquelin against the bigger clubs. Depth in key areas has been a huge problem for Wenger, with the likes of Gabriel Paulista and Kieran Gibbs failing to take their opportunities in the side.

Somewhere down the line, this Arsenal side has lost its bite in the midfield. This is partly down to the addition of the hot-headed Granit Xhaka, who needs to improve his tackling drastically, but it is also down to underperformances from the other midfielders. Except for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the other midfielders have been extremely poor defensively. The way Coquelin won the ball back, offloaded it to a player, who is better suited to picking a pass than him – usually Mesüt Özil or Cazorla – was a pivotal way in which Arsenal built their attacks.

Allowing Jack Wilshere to leave on loan may also have proven to be part of Coquelin’s downfall. If there is an Arsenal player who can dictate a game from deep, other than Santi Cazorla, then it is Jack Wilshere. This again proves Arsenal’s lack of real depth. The Gunners have become undone since Cazorla’s injury, and Wilshere may have been the answer to so many of Arsene Wenger’s problems.

If Arsene Wenger is to sign a new contract in the summer, then an overhaul is essential if Arsenal are to succeed. Francis Coquelin is likely to survive. However, you would have to think that the midfielders around him, other than perhaps Cazorla and Chamberlain, are likely to be put up for sale.

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