Stade Lavallois’s Coquelin Completes Arsenal Trial

With the domestic season drawing to a close all across Europe, managers and coaches are scouring the market for players to improve there squads for the next campaign.

Whilst Arsene Wenger is currently busy eyeing up deals for players which will feature in his squad immediately. Behind the scenes the Reserves and Youth coaching staff are planning their squads for the forthcoming season, with players set to be informed on who will be staying, and who will be going next month.

Over recent weeks Young Guns has exclusively revealed we have had Nikos Karelis, and Sean McDermott on trial with the club, with the pair both featuring during the Atalanta Cup win. We can also reveal that French Under 17 international Francis Coquelin has been put through his paces by the Arsenal coaching staff and was particularly impressive.

Coquelin is a rugged, strong, aggressive defensive midfielder. Blessed with a super passing range as well as all the combative qualities you would expect from a holding central player. He plys his trade for Stade Lavallois and has already featured on various occasions for the Reserves, after being promoted from the Under 18s.

Francis is in the style of Claude Makélélé, but on lookers have also made comparisons with Mathieu Flamini, due to his aggressive and no nonsense style. Shortly before his trial France coach Francis Smerecki included Coquelin in his squad for the Under 17 European Championships, but a thigh strain during his time in London ended his chances of competing.

Gilles Sunu was included and is in action this evening in the semi-final against Turkey, while Oguzhan Ozyakup is also in action against Spain in the other game. Check back later tonight for full reports on both fixtures.

Article By - J.Sanderson

~ by J.Sanderson on May 13, 2008.