Francis Coquelin, Arsenal Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Comments, More

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has penned a contract extension with the club after his recent impressive performances at the heart of the Gunners' midfield.

Arsene Wenger confirmed on Friday:

The new deal will run until 2019 according to L'Equipe, as noted by football writer Samuel JayC:

Coquelin talked about the deal with Arsenal's official website: 

"

I’m really pleased, I’ve been here since 2008 so it feels like a second home for me. It wasn’t really a tough decision, I have been here long enough and I know everyone here.

Everyone makes me feel good every day, and hopefully there will be more good years to come as well.

This is what is magic about football: one day you are unknown and the next day you are a bit bigger. I think the most important thing is to stay the same as I have been doing for the last few years.

If I stay the same I am not worried, I know I can help the team and hopefully I can do that in the coming years.

"

Since being recalled from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic in December, the former France under-21 international has seen his stock rise, particularly after he governed the midfield in Arsenal's recent win at Manchester City.

Coquelin's previous contract at the Emirates Stadium was going to expire this summer, but a raft of injuries in Wenger's first team gave Coquelin the chance he needed to highlight his Premier League potential.

The 23-year-old featured in the Gunners team that beat City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in mid-January. After that display, Wenger was quoted by the Daily Mail's Matt Morlidge:

"

I took him from France at the age of 16. Today he is 23. He has gone through some difficult periods but he's a learner from his experiences. I've always kept faith in him, because I told him three months ago that he needed to play somewhere.

He accepted to go down to Charlton and had convincing performances. Now he's come back, I've played him and he's done very well.

"

Morlidge even goes so far as to put forth the notion that Arsenal have "found their new Gilberto Silva," one of the club's most iconic anchoring midfielders, whom Coquelin will certainly seek to emulate.

James Olley of the London Evening Standard, on the other hand, likens Coquelin to a much more recent former Gunners bastion in Alex Song:

Following the signing of Polish youngster Krystian Bielik, Coquelin's extension has secured another promising option to Arsenal's engine room, especially with figures such as Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini entering their twilight years.

Coquelin's rejuvenated form at the Emirates will give Wenger hope of the progress to come, with the Frenchman now committing his long-term future in north London.