Thierry Henry Comments on Arsenal's Transfers, Heaps Praise on Francis Coquelin

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has praised the Gunners' business during the January transfer window, in particular the recalling of Francis Coquelin from his loan period at Charlton Athletic.    

Arsene Wenger has signed centre-back Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal for €15 million (£11.2 million) in the current window, as well as bringing in 17-year-old midfielder Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw.

Talking on Sky Sports News HQ's deadline-day broadcast, Henry suggested Coquelin's form has prevented Wenger from having to go out and spend big on a new defensive midfielder, while he also noted the necessity of adding strength at centre-back:

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I think they needed a centre-back, and Arsene went to get one. And they got [Krystian] Bielik, apparently he’s a good player. I haven’t seen enough of him to know what type of player he is but I will trust Arsene on that one.

But the best one thing Arsenal have done is bringing Coquelin back from Charlton. He might not be the answer to everything so far but he has done a job. Maybe if he didn't come back and play the way he's played recently, maybe Arsene would have gone and bought a defensive midfielder, but he has been amazing. Arsenal don't look like they are going to concede, they can score. He gives everyone that protection that people were talking about. Sometimes you look for players and sometimes they're just in front of you. But the guy matured too, he went on loan, he knows that now he has to perform and he’s doing it. 

Coquelin allows Arsene next year to go for the player he really wants. Sometimes in January you go for the players that are available. 

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The 23-year-old Coquelin joined the Gunners in 2008 but has spent much of his time since then on loan at Lorient and Freiburg as well as his recent spell at Charlton.

However, Wenger recalled him just before Christmas and he has since proved invaluable in providing cover for the back line in the defensive midfield position—a role which has been problematic for Arsenal for many years.

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Coquelin was particularly impressive as Arsenal beat champions Manchester City 2-0 in the Premier League on January 18, per football writer and statistician Michiel Jongsma, and he has added great balance to the side:  

Arsenal have been linked with a number of defensive midfielders in the current transfer window, including Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin, per Jack Wilson in the Daily Star, and they may still strengthen in the position.

However, as Henry notes, Coquelin's excellence allows Wenger to wait until the summer window, when there is more time available for him to get the targets he truly wants.

As for Paulista's signing, Wenger acknowledged the need for added strength at centre-back, per The Telegraph's Henry Winter, and has signed a combative, intelligent player who impressed greatly at Villarreal:

The Brazilian was on the bench for the Gunners' 5-0 drubbing of Aston Villa at the weekend but was not put into action by Wenger.

He could make his Arsenal debut in the weekend's upcoming north London derby with Tottenham, Henry having jokingly dismissed the Gunners' bitter rivals while on air, via 101 Great Goals:

Arsenal are in a rich vein of form currently after three league victories on the bounce without conceding a goal.

After a poor start to the season, they are up into fifth in the Premier League, tied on points with Southampton in the fourth Champions League spot.

They are unlikely to bring in any more players in the dying hours of the transfer window, but as Henry suggests, they have already done well in January and look set for a strong end to the season.