Arsenal: Francis Coquelin Reflects on His First Full Season with the Gunners

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, 20-year-old Francis Coquelin said he has been "pleased" with the number of first-team opportunities made available to him this season.

His first start was an inglorious one, with the Frenchman—who starred at the U-20 World Cup this past summer—part of a makeshift Gunners outfit that traveled to Old Trafford on Aug. 28. We all know what happened next.

Both Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong were suspended for that occasion, resulting in Coquelin taking up the position of central defensive midfielder.

Just as he has all season, Coquelin made the most of it. Undeterred by the shellacking inflicted by United, he embarked upon a terrific run of form through September and October.

He was excellent in a Carling Cup match against Shrewsbury on Sept. 20, and compounded that form with an immense showing away to Tottenham on Oct. 2. Many called him the Man of the Match against the Spurs.

Composed on the ball and a tireless worker—watch how frequently he tracks back to stem the flow of attacks—Coquelin looks ready to become a key contributor to the Gunners for years to come.

Wenger is not the first coach impressed with his productivity.

FC Lorient manager Christian Gourcuff, who coached Coquelin during the 2010-11 season when the Frenchman joined Lorient on loan, could tell from the start that he had a special player on his hands.

Speaking to Four Four Two in February of last year, Gourcuff raved about Coquelin's progress with the Brittany club.

"I am very happy with Francis so far this season," Gourcuff said. I have to say that I am still very surprised by his progress and evolution.

"He has improved a lot already in his use of the ball and in how he controls the game. When he arrived, he was making the wrong choices with the ball at times. Now, he is more accurate and pertinent."

Each and every one of them being signs that Arsenal fans have seen and come away impressed with this season.

Coquelin made 25 appearances for Les Merlus last season, scoring a goal and adding an assist. It was a testament to Gourcuff's trust in him that he made 11 league starts.

With his first full season of first-team football with Arsenal nearly wrapped, Coquelin took some time to reflect on the campaign that has been.

"When I look back at this season I would say I am really happy,” Coquelin told Arsenal Player. “I didn't expect to play that much in the first place and I had my chance this season to show what I can do on the pitch.

"Obviously a few injuries have backed me off a bit but I am generally pleased with the season. The manager trusts me as a right back or a left back. At some points in the season we had a lot of injuries so that helped me to get a lot of games."

Coquelin looks set to start at right-back for Arsenal this Sunday against West Bromwich Albion—a match that the Gunners must win if they are to guarantee themselves third place, and automatic qualification for the 2012-13 Champions League campaign.

He has operated mostly as a central midfielder, but it is a testament to his versatility that he has made several appearances for Arsenal this season in defense. He's often looked one of the better options at getting forward from the fullback position and with his assist against Blackburn on Feb. 7 being a fitting reference.

Now comes the hardest part. The match at the Hawthorns has been billed a 'cup final', but Coquelin is not shying from the task at hand.

That intrepid nature is a hallmark of Coquelin's, and it is shared by the newer crop of Arsenal youngsters (see: Frimpong). It is a brand of confidence that augers well for the club's future.

"It [third place] could have been finished after Norwich because after the other results we could have qualified for the Champions League," said Coquelin. "But we drew and now we need to win this game against West Brom."

"It is the last game of the season and all the staff and all of the players want to end up with this third place. We are all looking forward to it."

"When we came back to the training ground on Monday everybody knew it would be a tough week. The weekend is going to be an important one, everybody is concentrating on it and I think everybody is ready to fight for third place."