Coquelin has a bright future - he's even been compared to Claude Makelele. Mind you, so was Lassana Diarra...
Coquelin signed for Arsenal from French side Laval in the summer of 2008, making his non-competitive debut in the Gunners’ first pre-season match at Barnet in July of that year.
His impressive display against the lower league outfit earned him a place on the pre-season tour of Austria, and he impressed again in the opening game against Austrian side Szombathelyi.
The Frenchman has been compared to compatriot Claude Makelele and has good vision and a strong reading of the game. He also filled in at right back for Arsenal’s reserves in 2008/09.
His competitive bow came in a 6-0 Carling Cup win over Sheffield United in September 2008, in which he was a second half substitute.