Arsenal strengthened in key areas during the summer.
Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has told Arsenal Player that the new signings and extra competition for places, especially in midfield, is great for the club, Sky Sports reports.
The Gunners brought in Mohamed Elneny last January and boss Arsene Wenger opted to strengthen the midfield further this past summer with the addition of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach.
With Coquelin, Elneny, Xhaka and Santi Cazorla competing for central midfield options, Arsenal were deemed so well covered that Wenger allowed England international Jack Wilshere to join Bournemouth on loan.
The North London club needed to improve that area what with Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta struggling before being released last summer, yet for Coquelin his bid for regular action is now under threat.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, the Frenchman instead has seen the positives of further competition for places and believes both Xkaha and Elneny to be superb additions for the side.
“There is loads of competition, but I think that’s a good thing. Obviously we are Arsenal, so we expect competition and a player comes in every year, so it is a great addition. Granit came this year, and I think he is a great addition to the squad,” Coquelin said, quoted by Sky Sports.
“Mohamed came in January, and I think he has done well. No one really knew him before he came here, but he has shown how good he is. It is going to be an interesting competition in the middle.”
With Arsenal competing in the Premier League and Champions League as well as two domestic cups, there will be sufficient fixtures for Wenger to rotate his midfield to suit depending on opposition.
Coquelin established himself over the past two seasons as one the Premier League’s most effective holding midfielders, yet now he must prove himself all over again in order to retain a regular starting spot.
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