Francis Coquelin: Arsenal's Mini Makelele and Vieira

Arsene Wenger is the one of the best at unearthing hidden footballing gems. The Frenchman has established the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, the list is endless.

So when a transfer window opens up, a number of hugely promising youngsters
make their way to the Emirates, ready to be transformed into stars.

During the summer transfer window of 2008, Arsene Wenger signed three midfielders.
One was the hugely talented, pacey attacker Samir Nasri. The second was immensely promising youngster Aaron Ramsey, and the third was an unknown 17-year-old Frenchman who departed French Ligue 2 side Laval to play for the Gunners.
He was none other than Francis Coquelin.

Mainly a defensive midfielder, the Frenchman is able to cover anywhere in the backline and the midfield. Since the departure of Patrick Vieira, Arsenal have lacked a certain flare and physicality to their defensive midfield.

But after recently securing his first start for the Gunners in Arsenal's League Cup encounter with West Bromwich Albion, it was evident that Arsene Wenger had found a mini version of Makelele and Vieira combined into one package.

A fierce tackler who is not shy to get stuck into the defensive side of the midfield,
and capable of tearing down the best of midfield attacks, Coquelin's fierce defensive prowess leaves the Arsenal attackers with more room to push forward,
knowing Francis Coquelin is covering their backs.

Arsenal are set to challenge Liverpool in the next round of the League Cup and you can be certain that Francis Coquelin will be tearing down the dangerous runs of the
Liverpool midfield.

Three years from now, you can be sure Francis Coquelin will be an established
defensive midfielder carving up attacks for Arsenal.