Forgotten Arsenal star ‘in line for sensational return to English football’ with Championship side six years after leaving the Emirates

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin could be set for a surprise return to English football six years after leaving the Gunners. 

The Frenchman made 160 appearances for the north London side, having come through their academy before departing for Valencia in 2018. 

Coquelin established himself in the first team under Arsene Wenger in the 2015-16 season before going on to feature heavily for the Gunners in the following two seasons. 

He fell out of favour in Wenger’s final campaign ahead of a move to Spain with Valencia and then Villarreal, where he played for the last four seasons before his contract expired in the summer. 

But according to The Sun, the 33-year-old is set for a sensational return to these shores with a move to Championship side Leeds, whose squad has lost key midfielders to injury in recent weeks. 

Daniel Farke’s Leeds are desperate for midfield reinforcements after injuries to key players this season

Leeds skipper Ethan Ampadu is expected to be out until the new year with a knee injury

The outlet claim that the player is open to a move to Elland Road but he faces competition for contract from several other free agents. 

Among them include former West Ham midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been training with the side during the international break. 

Coquelin has reportedly been invited to work with Daniel Farke’s squad at their Thorp Arch training ground as the German boss looks for solutions to deal with the long-term injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. 

Ahead of Leeds’ Championship clash against Sheffield United Farke said: ‘ I never confirm any names and won’t speak about players who aren’t under contract.

‘It would not be professional. I just speak about our players. I can speak in general about the situation. It’s a pretty special and unique situation, we had a small group anyway before the injuries to Ethan and Ilia.

‘We’ve decided to have a deeper look into the free agent market. We had some guests in the last days here at Thorp Arch to have a deeper look on it.’ 

Despite never earning a senior France international appearance, Coquelin has played 35 times for his nation at youth level, including seven appearances for the Under 21s. 

Coquelin came through the Arsenal academy before going on to make 160 appearances for the club

The 33-year-old was part of the squad that claimed the Europa League with Villarreal in 2021

During his time with Villarreal, Coquelin won the Europa League in 2021 under Unai Emery and featured regularly for the side that reached the semi-final of the Champions League a year later. 

He also has two FA Cup trophies in his cabinet from his time with the Gunners in 2015 and 2017.