Arsenal

Francis Coquelin: 'Arsenal must back Arsene Wenger'

By Jonny Whitfield, Reporter | 20 January 2018

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin says that everyone at the club should "be behind" manager Arsene Wenger, despite calls for the Frenchman to leave the Emirates.

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has said that everyone at the club should "be behind" manager Arsene Wenger, despite calls for the Frenchman to leave the Emirates.

Wenger, who signed a two-year extension to his contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of last season, has only managed to win four of the last 13 games with the Gunners.

The North London club sit eight points adrift of the Premier League top four, but Coquelin, who recently secured a move to Valencia, has called for the club to back his previous manager.

"People tend to forget what Wenger has done for the club. I understand the frustration but everyone should stand by him, everyone should be behind [him]," Coquelin told the Evening Standard. "That's the only way results are going to turn around.

Speaking of speculation surrounding winger Alexis Sanchez, Coquelin said: "If they let Sanchez go, what I am sure of is they will have to strengthen the team, because he will be a big miss.

"For fans, they demand a competitive team. They will be upset if no-one comes in the transfer market and they let Sanchez go."

Arsenal have reportedly tabled an offer for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been on Wenger's radar this month.