Francis Coquelin open to SHOCK Arsenal exit despite joining Jack Wilshere in first team

FRANCIS COQUELIN has revealed that he would have no regrets if he had to leave Arsenal despite breaking into the first team this season.

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The French midfielder has established himself in Arsene Wenger's plans after returning from a loan spell at Charlton earlier in the season.

And while he took some time to make the breakthrough, Coquelin believes his decision to leave France and join a big side is now paying off.

Asked whether he left his himeland too early, Coquelin told Ouest France: “One might have said that, but not since the last four months!

"When you are young and you go abroad, you are taking a risk. Especially if you join Arsenal.

"At the beginning, I didn’t want to go. I came here for a one week trial, I saw guys ready to take each other out… But in life you have to take risks…”

Coquelin has recently signed a new contract at the Emirates that will see him stay in north London until 2019.

Francis CoquelinGETTY

Francis Coquelin has joined Jack Wilshere in Arsenal's first team

If tomorrow, I was asked to leave, I would have no regrets.

Francis Coquelin

And he knows he is now among a select group of his youth team colleagues who have made it to the top.

He added: “There are only two of us who have made it into the Gunners first team from my generation, those of us who won titles with the youth teams. Wilshere and I.

"There was also Gilles Sunu, who is playing in France. The others are in the 2nd and 3rd divisions of English football.

"I have always had confidence in myself. My only regret would have been not to have been able to show what I knew how to do.

"Now I have got the chance to."

"If tomorrow, I was asked to leave, I would have no regrets.”

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