Francis Coquelin Typifies Arsenal Grit in Dogged Premier League Win at Burnley

In their previous Premier League fixture, Arsenal blew Liverpool away in a thrilling game that showcased the Gunners’ imaginative attacking play. This time out, we saw a different side to Arsene Wenger’s team, as they saw out an uninspiring but invaluable 1-0 win over Burnley.

Wenger won’t mind. He will have known that coming to Burnley was always going to provide a stern test. Sean Dyche’s team have taken points off Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks, and they seem primed to launch a late rally against relegation.

Fortunately, Arsenal had enough to keep that at bay on this occasion. Key to the performance was the combative style of their midfield enforcer Francis Coquelin.

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

On Sky Sports’ television coverage of the game, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry described Coquelin as “our police officer.” He was clearly alluding to his fellow Frenchman’s ability to clamp down on any threat posed to Arsenal’s safety. With Coquelin on patrol, Arsenal look infinitely more secure.

For long periods of this match, Burnley could not escape their own half. Coquelin was the key reason for that, cutting out countless attacks with sliding interceptions and proactive tackling. For the first time in years, Arsenal seem to have someone who genuinely loves the ball-winning aspect of midfield play.

However, Coquelin is not purely concerned with protecting his own goal. Speaking in March 2015, Jack Wilshere told Arsenal's official website there was far more to his fellow youth-team graduate’s game.

"I've always felt that he could be the one to play in that [defensive] position for us," Wilshere said. "I think there's much more to come from him as well. He's a great defensive midfielder, but going forward he was always a threat in the youth team. I think he can score goals too."

Coquelin did not score the winning goal, but he played a crucial role in creating it. With Burnley attempting to play out of the back, Coquelin stepped in to intercept the ball. However, what followed was just as important, as he managed to find a team-mate in space to instigate a move that would end with Aaron Ramsey thumping the ball high into the net.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

It’s a sign of his growing confidence that we are beginning to see his impact at both ends of the field. His primary job remains protecting the back four, but at Arsenal, everybody is obliged to be part of the collective creative effort. Mikel Arteta, Wilshere and Abou Diaby are all fit to return to the Arsenal squad, but it is difficult to see any of them displacing the feisty Frenchman.

This was a match in which we saw another side to Coquelin and another side to Arsenal. Their outstanding form continues, and a second-place finish now feels like a formality. Hopes of a Chelsea slip-up remain slim, but it’s clear the Gunners are determined to push them all the way.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.