Coquelin says there has been interest from Ligue 1 sides in adding him to their squad, but according to him, Lille OSC decided to go with a different profile player, as did Montpellier HSC.

Speaking to L’Équipe, the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League champion has set a deadline as to when he hopes to find a club.

“I have the motivation, but if at the end of January, I’m not in a club that I’m interested in, we’re going to start asking questions,” says Coquelin.

An under-19 European champion with France in 2010, Coquelin spent eight seasons in North London with the Gunners before a loan spell in France at FC Lorient.

He featured in 24 Ligue 1 fixtures for them that season, with the 33-year-old playing the rest of his senior career in foreign leagues in Spain, Germany and England.

His first senior goal at club level came during his brief spell in Ligue 1, while he has only netted five times in his senior club career.

The defensive midfielder has never been called up to the French senior squad despite featuring for a number of their youth teams. Before joining the Arsenal academy, Coquelin was a part of the youth setup at Stade Lavallois from 2005-2008.

Despite failing to find a club during the summer transfer window, Coqeulin says that he isn’t disappointed, noting that plenty of big names were not signed as well.

GFFN | Joel Lefevre

Lamine Camara scored a dramatic late winner to hand AS Monaco victory over Montpellier HSC (2-1) as the Principality club celebrated their centenary.

The Match

Monaco could have had the game wrapped up within the first 15 minutes had they been efficient in taking their chances. Unfortunately, their two big chances fell to a Breel Embolo currently lacking in confidence in front of goal. He blasted the first over after good work from Folarin Balogun before then heading straight at Dimitry Bertaud from just three yards out with the goal gaping.

They were quickly punished by Montpellier through RC Strasbourg Alsace loanee Rabby Nzingoula, who profited from good work from Arnaud Nordin and Akor Adams – it was the latter with the assist. Balogun then could have netted himself but blasted over but he did then get on the scoresheet after getting on the end of Embolo’s through ball.

MHSC went quiet for large periods and rarely threatened the Monaco goal, but then they did show the ambition to do so, they did so efficiently. Adams went close, whilst Tanguy Coulibaly, shown a late red for two yellows, was a livewire that Les Monégasques struggled to control.

The Principality club continued to create chances: Balogun hit the post after Eliesse Ben Seghir wriggled out of a tight spot down the left wing, Lamine Camara forced Bertaud into a strong save and then went close with a volleyed shot just over. Téji Savanier also went close, striking the post with one of his trademark free-kicks but it looked as though a winner would escape Monaco in particular, despite their late dominance.

But it did come and it was Camara, who worked himself into good positions continuously after coming on, who got it with his shot from the edge of the box clipping in off the post. Bertaud, so often the saviour for La Paillade could do nothing to prevent Monaco from taking all three points.

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Köhn – 4

Caio Henrique – 5 

Mohammed Salisu – 6

Guilty of some poor passing out from the back, but he not only made a save off the line but also made some crucial recoveries. 

Wilfried Singo – 6

Vanderson – 5

Denis Zakaria – 6

Aleksandr Golovin – 4

Eliesse Ben Seghir – 5

Maghnes Akliouche – 4

Breel Embolo – 6

The Switzerland international was incredibly wasteful in front of goal and should have had Monaco 2-0 up within 15 minutes but he is so crucial in build-up, as evidenced by his two assists on the night.

Folarin Balogun – 8

The USMNT forward is growing in confidence and got his goal, which came after an earlier miss. Last season, his head may have dropped, but even beyond the goal, his runs in behind, his defensive work and his improved link-up is making him an invaluable asset for Monaco.

Montpellier selected player ratings

Rabby Nzingoula – 7

Khalil Fayad – 5

Tanguy Coulibaly – 6

He was such a livewire down the right. Henrique struggled to contain him throughout and in transitions, he thrived.

Dimitry Bertaud – 7

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Photo source: AS Monaco

Given Hütter’s rotation in recent matches, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the starting XI. Captain Denis Zakaria didn’t start the last match and so he can be expected to return, as can Vanderson at right-back. Breel Embolo may also return but the front four combination is the most uncertain. 

Hütter played two centre-forwards against Le Havre AC last weekend, but he may return to playing just one centre-forward, paving the way for Aleksandr Golovin’s return to the starting line-up for Monaco. 

Monaco likely line-up v Montpellier

Philipp Köhn; Caio Henrique, Mohamed Salisu, Thilo Kehrer, Vanderson; Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara; Eliesse Ben Seghir, Aleksandr Golovin, Maghnes Akliouche; George Ilenikhena. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

As reported by Toubache-Ter and later confirmed by the club, Jordan Ferri has been left out of Montpellier’s squad to face Auxerre on Sunday. Der Zakarian is expected to spring other surprises too with Benjamin Lecomte expected to be dropped in favour of Dimitry Bertaud. 

Those decisions come after Der Zakarian decided to “blow up” the MHSC dressing room in order to provide an “electroshock”. Toubache-Ter added that the situation in the dressing room is breaking down amid Der Zakarian’s desperate attempts to turn around the situation.

There could also be changes up front, according to Toubahce-Ter. The big changes come amid reports that Der Zakarian’s position as manager is already threatened, with a list of potential replacements being drawn up. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Beyond the results, L’Équipe report that the relationship between Der Zakarian and his squad is damaged and this can be traced back to the altercation that he had with former Montpellier defender Mamadou Sakho one year ago. The former Liverpool centre-back and the manager clashed during a training session, with the former ultimately being released by the club. One month after the altercation, Sakho threw a going away party, which all members of the MHSC squad attended. That, at the time, was interpreted as a show of support for Sakho. 

Gasset, Montanier, Gourvennec and Lamouchi considered as Der Zakarian replacements

For Der Zakarian, time is of the essence to save his job. L’Équipe understands that a win against AJ Auxerre over the weekend is almost compulsory if he is to remain in the post. Whilst La Paillade haven’t reached out to any potential replacements – yet – a list of names are being considered. Jean-Louis Gasset, Philippe Montanier, Jocelyn Gourvennec, and Sabri Lamouchi’s names have all been evoked in conversations. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The former Celtic winger was signed from Saudi side Al-Ittihad towards the end of the transfer window. He came off the back of a difficult, solitary season in the Gulf State and it has been confirmed that he is not yet at full fitness. Whilst he has been included in Julien Stéphan’s squad, it is thought that Jota is not fit enough to start for Rennes against Montpellier, although he could be involved off the bench. 

Jota is likely to be joined on the bench by Arnaud Kalimuendo, with Amine Gouiri expected to lead the line for Rennes. 

Rennes likely lineup v Montpellier

Steve Mandanda; Alidu Seidu, Christopher Wooh, Hans Hateboer; Adrien Truffert, Glen Kamara, Azor Matusiwa, Lorenz Assignon; Albert Gronbaek, Amine Gouiri, Ludovic Blas. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

The journeyman midfielder has returned to France, a country in which he has spent much of his professional career. Last summer he left Auxerre, with whom he spent over six years, on a free transfer upon the club’s relegation to Ligue 2 last season. 

He, like many in the summer of 2023, made the move from Europe to Saudi Arabia, signing a one-year deal with Al-Riyadh. However, that deal came to an end at the start of the summer and he has since been on the lookout for a new project. That project has now presented itself and a return to Ligue 1 has come to fruition.

On Wednesday morning, Montpellier confirmed the signing of Touré. La Paillade did not reveal the length of contract handed to the Mali international, however, Foot Mercato have indicated that he has signed a two-year deal. He will wear the No.20 with his new club. He is already training with MHSC. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

He, like many in the summer of 2023, made the move from Europe to Saudi Arabia, signing a one-year deal with Al-Riyadh. However, that deal came to an end at the start of the summer and he has since been on the lookout for a new project. That project has now presented itself and a return to Ligue 1 is now on the cards. 

Foot Mercato understands that Montpellier HSC, who failed to recruit during the summer transfer window, due to financial restraints, are set to sign the defensive midfielder. The publication understands that Mali international Touré is set to sign a two-year deal with La Paillade. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Incapable of buying without first selling, it was a difficult transfer window for Montpellier, who despite not losing many of their key players – as was expected – failed to strengthen their side, making them one of the favourites for relegation this campaign. One player who almost secured a move away was Chotard, whose value increased after promising performances for Thierry Henry’s France team at the Olympics in Paris. 

An offer from Wolfsburg was submitted and was worth €7m, plus an extra €2m in add-ons. This bid was rejected by sporting director Bruno Carotti, with the expectation that a second offer would arrive. However, it never did, and Chotard therefore remained at Montpellier, much to the frustration of the player. 

L’Équipe understands that, prior to the 3-1 defeat at the hands of FC Nantes, Carotti went into the MHSC dressing room to greet the players, however, Chotard refused to shake his hand, whilst there was also a verbal confrontation between the pair. To make matters worse, Chotard has since picked up an injury and is expected to miss at least three weeks of action. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

That was both good and bad news for Montpellier. Sales were desperately needed at MHSC this summer and his sale would have allowed the club to recruit and add depth to the squad – something that is very much needed. Chotard remaining at the Mosson was, nonetheless, a boost for Montpellier. However, both have now suffered a blow. 

The midfielder has been forced to withdraw from the France U21 camp through injury. The extent of the injury has now been revealed. Chotard is suffering from a torn calf and is expected to be out for several weeks, perhaps as much as four weeks, as per Mohamed Toubache-Ter. With Arnaud Nordin and Modibo Sagnan also out, MHSC are looking short of players, and given their predicament, it is a worrying omen. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle