#2 The decision to play Coquelin instead of Ramsey
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Perhaps due to his sentimental ties with the game or maybe it was just a tactical decision, but Arsène Wenger felt it suitable to play Francis Coquelin over Aaron Ramsey despite the Welshman putting in one of his best shifts in the previous game against Manchester United. Coquelin positioned himself next to Granit Xhaka in the midfield pivot where the Frenchman surprisingly acted as the more advanced of the two, regularly making runs into the final third.
Coquelin acted as a box-to-box midfielder that broke up play and then simultaneously charged up the pitch with the ball. He retained possession well and didn’t resemble his normal reckless self. The Frenchman was even attempting take-ons, successfully completing one in the final third. Ramsey’s attacking movement wasn’t missed as Coquelin replicated his attacking patterns and contribution immaculately.
