5 longest-serving players in the current Arsenal squad

#4 Francis Coquelin - 9 years

Coquelin in 2017

The second Frenchman on this list, Coquelin signed for Arsenal way back in 2008 after a successful trial with the club. After making his debut for the team, the defensive-midfielder was loaned out to different clubs over the next few seasons to gain more playing time as a first-team footballer.

Most Arsenal fans were bewildered when they heard the 26-year-old had recently penned a new four-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2021 at £75,000 per week.

Coquelin in his younger days

Coquelin has only started to impress in Arsenal colours over the last couple seasons. Arsene Wenger has kept his faith in the fierce footballer: “Francis has made tremendous technical strides over the past few years because he’s so focused every day,” said the Arsenal manager after Coquelin signed his new bumper deal.

New Arsenal record-signing Alexandre Lacazette had recently revealed to reporters the influential role his international teammate Coquelin played in bringing him to the Emirates. Some fans even said that this was his greatest contribution to the club but it was all in good humour.