Francis Coquelin

Coquelin was born in Laval, Mayenne{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheJoueur33012.html |title=Francis Coquelin |newspaper=L'Équipe |location=Paris |access-date=21 May 2020 |language=fr}} from parents originating from Réunion and has Malagasy roots.{{Cite web|url=https://www.afrik-foot.com/villarreal-coquelin-madagascar-selection-equipe-de-france-reunion|title=Villarreal : Coquelin se rapproche d'une sélection africaine !|date=9 March 2024|website=www.afrik-foot.com}} He began his career playing for AS Bourny Laval before departing in 2005 for the biggest club in the commune, Stade Lavallois. Coquelin spent three years at the club before being spotted by renowned Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi, while on international duty, playing in a 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship elite round qualification match against Israel.{{cite news |last=Riach |first=James |title=Arsenal's Arsène Wenger: Francis Coquelin could be a long-term solution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/03/arsenal-francis-coquelin-arsene-wenger-qpr-sir-alex-ferguson |access-date=6 March 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 March 2015}}

File:CoquelinUnderhill.JPG in 2008.]]

On 22 July 2008, Coquelin joined Arsenal from Stade Lavallois following a successful trial with the club. Although he suffered a thigh injury which cut the trial short, Coquelin impressed and was subsequently offered a deal to stay in North London.{{cite web |url=http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/coquelin-signing-complete-and-new-home-kit-revealed/ |title=Coquelin signing complete and new home kit revealed |website=arsenalyouth.wordpress.com |date=21 May 2008 |access-date=12 August 2013}}

Coquelin played for the first team in Arsenal's pre-season matches against Barnet and Szombathelyi Haladás in the summer of 2008,{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/francis-coquelin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219044304/https://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/francis-coquelin |archive-date=19 December 2008 |title=Francis Coquelin |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}} and made his competitive first team debut for Arsenal in a 6–0 win over Sheffield United on 23 September 2008, coming on as a substitute for Fran Mérida to play at right back.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7626710.stm |title=Arsenal 6–0 Sheff Utd |work=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2008 |access-date=4 January 2010}} Coquelin scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt in a reserve match against Stoke City on 6 October 2008, shooting powerfully in from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3020278/reserves/arsenal-res-v-stoke-city?tab=report |title=Arsenal Res. 3–2 Stoke Res. |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=6 October 2008 |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007190941/https://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3020278/reserves/arsenal-res-v-stoke-city?tab=report |archive-date=7 October 2008}}

He was a regular for Arsenal's reserves during the 2009–10 season, playing 12 times and scoring twice.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/francis-coquelin/2009/10?tab=report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602015443/https://www.arsenal.com/reserves-youth/players/francis-coquelin/2009/10 |archive-date=2 June 2012 |title=2009/10 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}} On 22 September 2009, he made his first start for the first team against West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup third round, playing 58 minutes before he was replaced by Mark Randall.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3191260/first-team/arsenal-v-w.b.a.?tab=report |title=Arsenal 2–0 West Brom |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216015230/https://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3191260/first-team/arsenal-v-w.b.a.?tab=report |archive-date=16 December 2013}} He featured again in the League Cup, this time as a second-half substitute for Fran Mérida in the 2–1 victory against Liverpool.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=284385&cc=5739 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Liverpool |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=28 October 2009 |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024202504/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=284385&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }} Coquelin made a disappointing first FA Cup start in a 3–1 loss to Stoke City. Playing in an unfamiliar right-back position, he was substituted in the second half for Aaron Ramsey.{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=285993&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024202509/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=285993&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2012 |title=Stoke City 3–1 Arsenal |website=ESPN Soccernet |date=28 October 2009 |access-date=13 August 2013 }}

File:Francis Coquelin 2.jpg.]]

Coquelin opted for a move to Lorient on a loan deal that saw him play his football in France throughout the 2010–11 season. He made his Lorient debut as a second-half substitute in the 2–1 home defeat to Nice on 14 August 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/loan-watch-coquelin-makes-lorient-debut |title=Loan Watch: Coquelin makes Lorient debut |access-date=13 August 2013 |date=1 May 2011 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201225214/https://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/loan-watch-coquelin-makes-lorient-debut |archive-date=1 February 2014}} Coquelin grabbed his first assist as Lorient lost 6–3 to Lille. After beating one Lille player, he played a through-ball for Kevin Gameiro for Lorient's opener.{{cite web |url=http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/12/loanees-coquelin-assists-as-lansbury-stars/ |title=Loanees – Coquelin Assists As Lansbury Stars |date=5 December 2010 |access-date=13 August 2013 |website=Young Guns Blog |first=Jamie |last=Sanderson |archive-date=9 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101209024241/http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/12/loanees-coquelin-assists-as-lansbury-stars/ |url-status=dead }} Coquelin received his first red card while playing at right back against Valenciennes. He received the second yellow card after a handball decision.{{cite web |url=http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/02/loanees-jet-scores-afobe-miyaichi-assist/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302013641/http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/02/loanees-jet-scores-afobe-miyaichi-assist/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2011 |title=Loanees: JET Scores, Afobe & Miyaichi Assist |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=13 August 2013 |website=Young Guns Blog |first=Jamie |last=Sanderson }} Coquelin scored his first goal in professional football as Lorient beat Rennes 2–1; he scored the winner from close range after Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez had spilled a Morgan Amalfitano long-range effort.{{cite web |url=http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2011/04/video-coquelin-goal-v-rennes/ |title=Video: Coquelin Goal v Rennes |date=16 April 2011 |access-date=13 August 2013 |website=Young Guns Blog |first=Jamie |last=Sanderson}} In the latter stages of the season, Coquelin was heavily used on the right hand side of midfield. He completed his loan with Lorient making 24 appearances in Ligue 1, one appearance in the Coupe de France and scoring one goal.{{cite web |url=http://www.ligue1.com/joueur/coquelin-francis |title=Francis COQUELIN |access-date=13 August 2013 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel}} Sky Sports reported that Lorient manager Christian Gourcuff was keen to re-sign Coquelin as well as his Arsenal teammate Gilles Sunu on an additional year's loan.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6919217,00.html |title=Lorient keen to keep Gunners |date=7 May 2011 |access-date=13 August 2013 |website=Sky Sports |first=Patrick |last=Haond}}

After spending pre-season at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup with France, Coquelin returned to Arsenal, and on 28 August 2011, he made his first team league debut against Manchester United. He played 62 minutes in the 8–2 defeat before being substituted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14606020.stm |title=Man Utd 8 – 2 Arsenal |date=28 August 2011 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 August 2013}} Coquelin made his second Premier League start for Arsenal in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite Arsenal losing the match 2–1, Coquelin was voted as Arsenal.com's Man of the Match by fans for the first time.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/man-of-the-match-against-spurs-coquelin |title=Man of the Match against Spurs – Coquelin |date=4 October 2011 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510124018/https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/man-of-the-match-against-spurs-coquelin |archive-date=10 May 2013}} On 6 December 2011, he made his UEFA Champions League debut for Arsenal in the 3–1 away defeat to Olympiacos, playing 67 minutes before being substituted for Tomáš Rosický.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3447150,00.html |title=Greek tragedy for Arsenal |date=6 December 2011 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=13 August 2013 |first=Jonathan |last=Jurejko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201080318/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3447150,00.html |archive-date=1 February 2012}} On 10 January 2012, he signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal. The Frenchman had been rewarded with a new deal after demonstrating his versatility with a string of fine performances in both holding midfield and defence.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/coquelin-signs-new-long-term-contract |title=Coquelin signs new long-term contract |date=10 January 2012 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927081601/https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/coquelin-signs-new-long-term-contract |archive-date=27 September 2013}} Coquelin got his first assist for Arsenal in the 7–1 victory over Blackburn Rovers; his low cross to the front post was converted by Robin van Persie.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_commentary/0,19764,11065_3408826,00.html |title=Arsenal 7 – 1 Blackburn |date=4 February 2012 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=13 August 2013}}

At the start of the 2012–13 season, Coquelin received a new squad number, moving from 39 to 22.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/squad-numbers-updated-for-start-of-season |title=Squad numbers updated for start of season |date=17 August 2012 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820042120/https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/squad-numbers-updated-for-start-of-season |archive-date=20 August 2012}} He made his first start of the season in the 6–1 home win against Southampton, playing 67 minutes before being replaced by Aaron Ramsey.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261591/commentary |title=Arsenal 6 -1 Southampton |date=15 September 2012 |website=Sky Sports |access-date=13 August 2013}} Coquelin provided his first assist of the season in the 6–1 victory over Coventry City in the League Cup; his sliding flick on for Olivier Giroud allowed his compatriot to score his first goal for the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/173382/first-team/arsenal-v-coventry-city?tab=report |title=Arsenal 6 – 1 Coventry City |date=26 September 2012 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725234702/http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/173382/first-team/arsenal-v-coventry-city?tab=report |archive-date=25 July 2013}} On 25 October 2012, Coquelin was again awarded Arsenal.com's Man of the Match for his performance in the 2–0 home loss against Schalke 04.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/man-of-the-match-v-schalke-coquelin |title=Man of the Match v Schalke – Coquelin |access-date=13 August 2013 |date=25 October 2012 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126172828/https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/man-of-the-match-v-schalke-coquelin |archive-date=26 January 2013}}

File:Francis Coquelin (2013).jpg

On 5 July 2013, Arsenal announced that Coquelin would be loaned to SC Freiburg for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/coquelin-joins-sc-freiburg-on-loan |title=Coquelin joins SC Freiburg on loan |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=5 July 2013 |access-date=5 July 2013}} He was played out of position on the left wing during most of his time in Germany, which he admitted he found "tough".{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Rod |title=Coquelin – Freiburg loan a turning point |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150212/coquelin-freiburg-loan-a-turning-point |access-date=5 March 2016 |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |date=12 February 2015}} He does however credit his season loan there as being beneficial to his development as a player, and in November 2013 scored his first goal at first-team level in a 2–1 win over Slovan Liberec in the UEFA Europa League.{{cite web |title=F. Coquelin |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/francis-coquelin/63904/ |website=Soccerway |access-date=5 March 2016}}

Without taking part in any matches for Arsenal during the first three months of season 2014–15, Coquelin joined Championship side Charlton Athletic on 3 November 2014 for a month's loan. He made his debut a day later coming off the bench in Charlton's 2–2 away draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.{{cite web |url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20141103-charlton-loan-coquelin-2059240.aspx |title=Charlton sign Arsenal midfielder Coquelin on loan |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=3 November 2014 |access-date=3 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103170250/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20141103-charlton-loan-coquelin-2059240.aspx |archive-date=3 November 2014}} Coquelin's loan deal was originally extended through the end of December 2014, but on 12 December, the media reported that Coquelin had been recalled early due to an injury crisis at Arsenal.{{cite web |url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/francis-coquelin-recalled-from-loan-by-arsenal-2139727.aspx |title=Francis Coquelin recalled from loan by Arsenal |publisher=Charlton Athletic F.C. |date=12 December 2014 |access-date=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141212202658/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/francis-coquelin-recalled-from-loan-by-arsenal-2139727.aspx |archive-date=12 December 2014}}

File:Coquelin - 2015 Emirates Cup.jpg

Having been recalled from his loan at Charlton to cover for injuries,{{cite news |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-gunners-recall-coquelin-161518413--sow.html |title=Football – Gunners recall Coquelin |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=Yahoo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122121418/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-gunners-recall-coquelin-161518413--sow.html |archive-date=22 January 2015}} Coquelin made a late substitute appearance in the team's 4–1 league victory against Newcastle United on 13 December 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/30357669 |title=Arsenal 4–1 Newcastle |access-date=20 January 2015 |website=BBC Sport}} After further substitute appearances in the team's next two matches against Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers, Coquelin was selected to start a Premier League match for the first time in 23 months as Arsenal beat West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on 28 December.{{cite news |url=https://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1415/post/first-team/west-ham-v-arsenal-match-report |title=West Ham United 1–2 Arsenal |access-date=20 January 2015 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}} After this, Coquelin retained his place in the Arsenal team and performed impressively as the Gunners defeated champions Manchester City 2–0 at the Etihad Stadium on 18 January 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/18/francis-coquelin-arsenal-masterclass-arsene-wenger-manchester-city |title=Francis Coquelin's Arsenal masterclass: tactical triumph or just lucky? |date=19 January 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/2253390/wengers-nouscazorlas-flair-and-coquelins-steel-give-arsenal-belief |title=Wenger's nous, Cazorla's flair and Coquelin's steel give Arsenal belief |date=19 January 2015 |website=ESPN FC}} In his Press Conference on 22 January 2015, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger spoke of Coquelin's loan to Charlton, saying, "I saw that he made huge improvements in training so I sent him on loan for match practice."{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-press-conference-live-5021471 |title=Arsene Wenger press conference recap: Gunners chief declares signing Gabriel Paulista a "50–50 chance" |newspaper=Daily Mirror |first=Alex |last=Richards |date=22 January 2015}} On 1 March, during the win against Everton, Coquelin broke his nose in a collision with teammate Olivier Giroud{{cite news |last=Riach |first=James |title=Arsenal's Arsène Wenger: Francis Coquelin could be a long-term solution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/03/arsenal-francis-coquelin-arsene-wenger-qpr-sir-alex-ferguson |access-date=5 March 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 March 2015}} after a strong home performance as a midfield pivot to Santi Cazorla.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Coquelin wore a protective mask and produced a resolute performance in the heart of midfield again against Queens Park Rangers on 4 March 2015.{{cite news |last1=Peck |first1=Tom |title=QPR vs Arsenal match report: Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez on the scoresheet for the Gunners |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/qpr-vs-arsenal-match-report-olivier-giroud-and-alexis-sanchez-scoresheet-gunners-10086542.html |access-date=22 September 2020 |work=The Independent |date=4 March 2015}}

Coquelin was a revelation on his return from loan at Charlton, establishing himself as one of the top defensive players in the Premier League.{{cite web |last1=Walker-Roberts |first1=James |last2=Surlis |first2=Patrick |title=Top 100 players of 2015: Where do Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo rank? |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10108268/top-100-players-of-2015-where-do-lionel-messi-and-cristiano-ronaldo-rank |website=Sky Sports |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=31 December 2015}} Since his first start of the season for Arsenal against West Ham United in December 2014, he went on to lead the league in defensive interceptions made and "compare[d] favourably with defensive midfielders at the top clubs in the Premier League and Champions League".{{cite web |last1=Rothewell |first1=Eliot |title=Is Coquelin really among Europe's best defensive midfielders? |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/08/28/14832492/is-coquelin-really-among-europes-best-defensive-midfielders |website=goal.com |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=28 August 2015}} Arsène Wenger publicly displayed his shock of the sudden impact Coquelin brought since returning from loan, being quoted in The Guardian saying that Coquelin could be a "long-term solution."

On 30 May, Coquelin was selected to start in the 2015 FA Cup Final, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4–0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32856754 |title=Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2015 |access-date=18 May 2019}}

He played in the season's opening match, the 2015 FA Community Shield against Chelsea, which Arsenal won 1–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/competitions/fa-community-shield/2015/aug/chelsea-v-arsenal-fa-community-shield-match-report |first=Jamie |last=Reid |access-date=6 March 2016 |date=2 August 2015 |title=Arsenal brush aside Chelsea to lift Community Shield |publisher=The Football Associstion}} Coquelin missed two matches in September against Leicester City and Tottenham with a minor injury, and was dropped for a League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in October. Despite the three missed matches, Coquelin played in every other Arsenal match since the season begun, but his season was halted by a knee ligament injury sustained in a 2–1 defeat to West Brom that ruled him out for three months.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.us/arsenal/story/2726762/francis-coquelin-out-injured-for-12-weeks-wenger |title=Francis Coquelin out injured for 12 weeks |date=23 November 2015 |website=ESPN FC}}

Coquelin returned to training in mid-January 2016,{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |title=Arsenal news: Francis Coquelin returns to training almost month earlier than expected |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/12112466/Arsenal-news-Francis-Coquelin-returns-to-training-almost-month-earlier-than-expected.html |access-date=5 March 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=21 January 2016}} and made his return to the first team on 30 January, playing from the start in Arsenal's 2–1 win over Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup.{{cite news |last1=Muthanna |first1=Pradhan |title=Arsenal 2–1 Burnley: Wenger delivers positive news regarding Alexis Sanchez and Coquelin's injury return |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/arsenal-2-1-burnley-wenger-delivers-positive-news-regarding-alexis-sanchez-coquelins-injury-1541035 |access-date=5 March 2016 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=31 January 2016}}

On 12 January 2017, Coquelin signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal.{{cite news |url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20170112/french-trio-sign-new-long-term-contracts |title=French trio sign new long-term contracts |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=12 January 2017 |publisher=Arsenal F.C.}}

File:Francis Coquelin (1) (cropped).jpg

On 11 January 2018, Coquelin signed a contract with Spanish La Liga club Valencia for a reported fee of €14 million.{{cite web |title=Club statement – Francis Coquelin |url=http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/77876/club-statement--francis-coquelin.html |publisher=Valencia CF |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-date=11 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911194445/http://en.valenciacf.com/ver/77876/club-statement--francis-coquelin.html |url-status=dead }} He scored the third goal of his career and his first for Valencia on 17 February the same year, against Malaga in the 80th minute from a corner.{{cite web |title=Francis Coquelin |url=https://www.whoscored.com/Players/69738/History/Francis-Coquelin |website=whoscored.com |access-date=18 February 2018}}

On 12 August 2020, Coquelin signed for fellow Spanish club Villarreal, for a reported €13 million, on a four-year deal.{{Cite web | url=https://villarrealcf.es/en/news/item/28303-francis-coquelin-is-a-yellow | title=Web oficial del Villarreal CF - Francis Coquelin is a Yellow }}

On 31 January 2025, Coquelin joined Ligue 1 club Nantes, signing a contract until the end of the season.{{Cite web |title=Groupe pro - Francis Coquelin rejoint le FC Nantes ! |url=https://www.fcnantes.com/articles/article2809.php?num=46617 |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=FR |language=fr}} He made his debut for the club coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 home win over Lens, providing an assist in the league for the first time in over 13 years.{{cite web |title=Nantes beats Lens 3-1 in French league to move away from relegation playoff spot|url=https://apnews.com/article/ligue-1-psg-lyon-238d4317d56041d42da01310651836da|website=AP News |access-date=23 February 2025}}

Coquelin is a France youth international having earned caps for the under-17s, under-18s, under-19s, under-20s and under-21s. Coquelin played a key role in France winning the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, starting four of France's five matches.{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/equipes-de-france/tous-les-joueurs/fiche-joueur/1606016767-francis-coquelin |title=Francis Coquelin |publisher=French Football Federation |access-date=3 March 2014 |language=fr}} In the semi-final against Croatia, Coquelin skipped past three challenges and slipped a pass through for Cédric Bakambu to score the winning goal and put France into the final.{{cite web |url=http://2000.uefa.com/under19/season=2010/matches/round=15349/match=2002409/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140303211540/http://2000.uefa.com/under19/season=2010/matches/round=15349/match=2002409/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-date=3 March 2014 |title=Under-19 2010 – France-Croatia |access-date=3 March 2014 |date=26 April 2011 |publisher=UEFA}}

Coquelin, as well as former Arsenal teammate Gilles Sunu, were named in France under-20s' final 21-man squad that competed at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.fff.fr/individus/selections/der_selection.php?id_selection=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903042638/http://www.fff.fr/individus/selections/der_selection.php?id_selection=4 |archive-date=3 September 2011 |title=Coupe du Monde en Turquie |publisher=French Football Federation |access-date=13 August 2013 |language=fr}} Coquelin started and completed all seven of France's world cup matches,{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/colombia2011/teams/team=1888257/statistics.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612231958/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/colombia2011/teams/team=1888257/statistics.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2015 |access-date=22 March 2016 |publisher=FIFA |title=France – statistics (FIFA 2011 U20 World Cup)}} as France finished fourth in Colombia.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/colombia2011/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206212915/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/colombia2011/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 February 2017 |access-date=22 March 2016 |publisher=FIFA |title=Brazil's youngsters return to the top}}

Coquelin received his first red card at the under-21 level in the 2–1 defeat to Slovakia; he was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Filip Kiss.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/0257-0deb6e3cb8e0-02850334cd6e-1000--slovakia-stun-france-to-end-winning-run/ |title=Slovakia stun France to end winning run |date=7 September 2012 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=13 August 2013}}

{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=F. Coquelin |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/francis-coquelin/63904/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=19 December 2017}}{{cite web |title=Francis Coquelin " Club matches |url=http://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/francis-coquelin/2/ |website=WorldFootball.net |access-date=11 July 2018}}

{{notelist}}

Arsenal Youth

• FA Youth Cup: 2008–09{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/features/20150521/2009-fa-youth-cup |title=2009 FA Youth Cup|website=Arsenal.com}}

Arsenal

• FA Cup: 2014–15, 2016–17{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39984089 |title=Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2017 |access-date=18 May 2019}}
• FA Community Shield: 2015{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33667216 |title=Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea |first=Andy |last=Cryer |website=BBC Sport |date=2 August 2015 |access-date=18 May 2019}}

Valencia

• Copa del Rey: 2018–19{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48367455 |title=Barcelona 1–2 Valencia |website=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2019 |access-date=25 May 2019}}

Villarreal

• UEFA Europa League: 2020–21{{cite web|last=Stone|first=Simon|date=26 May 2021|title=Villarreal 1–1 Manchester United|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57224112|access-date=26 May 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}

France U19

• UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2010

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{FFF player}}
• {{UEFA player}}

{{FC Nantes squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coquelin, Francis}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Laval, Mayenne

Category:French men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Stade Lavallois players

Category:Arsenal F.C. players

Category:FC Lorient players

Category:SC Freiburg players

Category:Charlton Athletic F.C. players

Category:Valencia CF players

Category:Villarreal CF players

Category:FC Nantes players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Premier League players

Category:Bundesliga players

Category:English Football League players

Category:La Liga players

Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players

Category:France men's youth international footballers

Category:France men's under-21 international footballers

Category:French expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Germany

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Black French sportspeople

Category:French sportspeople of Malagasy descent

Category:French people of Réunion descent

Category:21st-century French sportsmen