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Arsenal’s Latest Star Refuses To Sign Big-Money Contract

By on January 26, 2015
Francis Coquelin-Arsenal

Image: Express

Francis Coquelin is refusing to sign a new big-money contract extension at Arsenal until he finds out if he’ll be a first team regular over the long term.

Coquelin has been at the club for over six years and was expected to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires after failing to make the breakthrough at the Emirates.

However, a spate of injuries in the middle of the park meant Arsene Wenger was forced to recall the Frenchman from a loan spell at Charlton and it’s safe to say the 23-year-old has taken his opportunity with both hands.

Coquelin has been hugely impressive since returning to the side, and was outstanding during our 2-0 win away at Man City last weekend, leading to many fans feeling he could be the answer to our defensive midfield problems.

It seems he’s already done enough to earn himself a new deal at Arsenal as widespread reports claim we’ve entered talks over a big-money contract extension to secure his long-term future.

However, it seems Coquelin isn’t ready to commit his future just yet as the Daily Mail are reporting that he’s refusing to put pen-to-paper until he gets assurances he’ll continue to be a first team regular in Arsene’s side when Jack Wilshere returns from injury next month.

Coquelin is also understood to be concerned by on-going speculation suggesting that we’ll sign a new defensive midfielder in the summer, with the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Ilkay Gundogan continually linked.

The Daily Mail state that Coquelin does want to stay at Arsenal and is willing to snub interest from the Premier League and throughout Europe, but only if he’s promised he’ll continue to be part of Wenge’rs first team plans over the long-term.

It’s certainly a tricky situation as I’m sure the boss won’t be able to give Coquelin those assurances until he’s had an extended run of games in the side. As well as he’s done, it’s worth remembering the Frenchman has only started five games this season, so let’s wait a few months before we go branding him our savior.

However, on the other hand, the last thing we want is to see Coquelin develop into a world beater over the next couple of months only to see him leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

There’s no doubt that Coquelin is now miles ahead of Flamini for a starting spot so we’re going to see plenty of him in the side for the foreseeable future. Hopefully he continues to impress and we can persuade him to sign an extension soon, as it would be hugely disappointing if he was allowed to walk away for nothing in the summer.