Francis Coquelin is reportedly set to leave Arsenal this month with West Ham United believed to be his most likely destination. The 26-year old midfielder who has been an important member in the Gunners side has been frustrated with the lack of first team action this season and is looking to seek a transfer elsewhere to prolong his career.
Coquelin, who is one of Arsenal’s many youth academy products to have made the jump to the first team under Arsene Wenger came into prominence as a physical and rough tackling player. Given the silkiness of Wenger’s usual teams in the last decade, Coquelin was seen as the ideal man to toughen up the midfield and provide the base for the flair players above him to prosper.
However, the man from France has failed to live up to his hype and although he was a first-team player for the last two to three seasons, he has not been near the best in England. With Jack Wilshere returning to Arsenal this season and being fully fit, it would seem Coquelin’s first team chances will only dry up more.
The Gunners have a host of midfield options with Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock, Jack Wilshere but none can are as defensive minded as Coquelin. Wenger and his board seem to have some other plan hatched up as they are reportedly ready to let go of the midfielder for a fee of 10 million pounds only.
This opens up the window for West Ham United, who are interested in signing the Frenchman. The Hammers fans have seen their team get off to a shaky start this season and the fans know that despite a change in manager, it is unlikely that things will change fast. Bilic getting the axe does not automatically solve the problems and in all fairness to Moyes, he needs more time. Signing in new players may act as a catalyst, however, to help the club turn around their fortune.
The Hammers have displayed good courage in December and the New Year started off on a good note for them as they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 and drew 1-1 against Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur with the 0-0 draw in the FA Cup the only frustrating result this year so far.
The gloomy atmosphere around the new London stadium is a little less tentative now as Moyes attempts to find a new formula to bring his side back to a fighting place in the league.
