Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin are a delight for Arsene Wenger as French boss hails Arsenal's unlikely lads

  • Hector Bellerin scored Arsenal's first goal in the 4-1 win against Liverpool 
  • Franci Coquelin has been a revelation in front of Arsenal's back four 
  • Arsene Wenger admits he didn't expect the duo to become so vital 

Arsene Wenger admits he did not expect Arsenal’s late charge for the top of the Barclays Premier League to be powered by Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin.

Wenger had all but given up on Coquelin when he was sent on loan to Charlton before Christmas and did not expect Bellerin to progress with such speed after a year at Watford.

‘Honestly, I couldn’t say that in my head Coquelin was one of the first-choice players,’ said the Arsenal manager. ‘But my job is to remain open-minded and make decisions when you have to.

Francis Coquelin (right) has played a vital role in Arsenal's late push for the Premier League title

Francis Coquelin (right) has played a vital role in Arsenal's late push for the Premier League title

‘Bellerin is one of the surprises of the season. He was at Watford on loan last year and didn’t get the games. He’s just 20 years old and you can look at what he does at 20 years of age.’


Spanish full-back Bellerin scored his second Arsenal goal against Liverpool, on Saturday, a wonderful curling left-footer to break the deadlock and launch his team towards a 4-1 win.

He was also responsible for keeping Raheem Sterling under control when Daniel Sturridge came off the bench at half-time and Liverpool reshuffled.

‘He played against a great player in Sterling,’ said Wenger. ‘I selected him because of his pace. I thought Sturridge would play and Sterling would be on the flank. And because of his low centre of gravity. Sterling changes direction very quickly and Hector is a short as well.

Hector Bellerin celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal during the 4-1 victory against Liverpool

Hector Bellerin celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal during the 4-1 victory against Liverpool

Bellerin broke the Emirates deadlock for Arsenal, cutting in and curling a left-foot strike into the corner

Bellerin broke the Emirates deadlock for Arsenal, cutting in and curling a left-foot strike into the corner

Arsene Wenger admits he didn't expect Bellerin and Coquelin to be playing such key roles

Arsene Wenger admits he didn't expect Bellerin and Coquelin to be playing such key roles

‘Maybe he still has some experience to gain but his defending one-against-one is good and going forward he is good. He scored an important goal in a big game and that always shows that the guy has the mental quality to be there.’

The Arsenal boss did admit Bellerin might have been lucky not to be sent off, having been already booked when he mistimed a slide tackle on Sterling and conceded a penalty, scored by Jordan Henderson.

‘He was a bit lucky there,' said Wenger. ‘He could have got one but I think he genuinely went for the ball. I was just thinking: What do I do if he gets a second yellow? In the end the referee decided not to give him a yellow because he went for the ball. He was unlucky for the first yellow.’

Nacho Monreal and Oliver Giroud are among the first to congratulate the unlikely opening goalscorer

Nacho Monreal and Oliver Giroud are among the first to congratulate the unlikely opening goalscorer

Wenger revealed had all but given up on Coquelin when he was sent on loan to Charlton before Christmas

Wenger revealed had all but given up on Coquelin when he was sent on loan to Charlton before Christmas