Arsenal’s ideal XI following the January window

Francis Coquelin

Deciding between Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, and Francis Coquelin is far from easy, but the latter’s greater experience of the Premier League just gets him the nod.

Xhaka’s disciplinary issues must be of concern to Wenger and, with Santi Cazorla out injured for a while, Coquelin will continue to get a decent run in the team if he stays fit.

The Frenchman was recalled from a loan spell at Championship side Charlton back in 2014 due to injury issues in the Gunners midfield, and the 25-year-old has never looked back as he seamlessly slotted into an area that has been Arsenal’s Achilles heel for quite some time.

He went on to make 22 league appearances that season, and then made 26 last term to help the club finish second.

Although he’s not been at his best this time round, Coquelin has shown his quality in that position in the past, and will do again.