Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Gilberto Silva believes Francis Coquelin is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League.
The Brazilian is arguably of the best players to have played the position for the Gunners and he was an important member of Arsene Wenger’s first-team squad when the north Londoners were continuously fighting Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United for the Premier League crown.
And the 39-year-old has recently revealed his belief that the French tactician now possesses a player who is currently the best in England’s top tier in his position.
Speaking exclusively to 888sport, Gilberto said: “He [Coquelin] is improving game by game and from last season to this one he is much better.
“He is getting to know his position well and that’s important because his role is to allow those up front to play while protecting the back four. He will be very important for Arsenal in the final third of the season.
“He is a young player and what he’s done for Arsenal in the short time he’s been playing has been great. When I was at Arsenal I was older, with more experience and big guys around me.
“He is proving himself over and over and I hope he is at Arsenal for a long period because for any team to have a player who is willing to do the hard job then it makes it harder for the opposition to pass through your defence.”
Coquelin returned to Arsenal from a short-term loan spell at Charlton Athletic in 2014 and he suddenly became undroppable from Wenger’s side.
A long-term contract soon followed and, aside from an injury keeping him out for the past couple of months, Coquelin has been in the first-team almost every single game since.
The Frenchman has emerged as a true leader in the defensive midfield position over the past 12 months and Arsenal’s rise from top four contenders to title challengers has, in part, been down to the protection he offers to the defence.
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