Leeds United could land a ‘fan-favourite’ in Francis Coquelin according to Arsenal expert, if he signs on at Elland Road

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Leeds United have reportedly invited Francis Coquelin to Thorp Arch to undergo a trial with a view to signing the veteran midfielder, and we have got the lowdown from Arsenal expert Lucas Arnold.

Daniel Farke has confirmed that Leeds are looking at free agents, after injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. It has left Farke with just Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as senior options in the middle of the park.

They will start against Sheffield United on Friday, and the first reserve will be one-time Wales star Charlie Crew who is yet to make his senior debut for Leeds. Understandably, Farke is considering a new signing.

Cheikhou Kouyate was considered and trained with Leeds last week, but a move has stalled and now the talk is the possibility of former Arsenal ace Coquelin. Coquelin has now been invited to train with Leeds.

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What Leeds can expect from Francis Coquelin, if midfielder signs

The 33-year-old clocked up 160 appearances for Arsenal without ever scoring a goal and that tells a tale in itself. Arsenal Insider writer Arnold explains how Coquelin was an un-Arsenal player, in an Arsenal side.

“Truly a one of a kind player under Arsene Wenger, he was almost the antithesis of everything Arsenal were at the time. Coquelin wasn’t interested in tiki-taka passes, he simply wanted to stick his foot in.

“A player who truly wore his heart on his sleeve. He dove into tackles and quickly won the ball back for the likes of Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky. He was in that midfield to do one thing. He did it brilliantly.”

There are obvious question marks. Why is he still a free agent as we approach November? Why was he released in the first place? Is Coquelin going to be fit enough to come straight into Farke’s Leeds side?

Would Francis Coquelin be a good signing for Leeds right now?

Well, it might take a bit of time to get the former Villarreal and Valencia man up and running but Arnold believes he has the drive and fight to do so. Arnold thinks he can become a “fan favourite” at Elland Road.

Or, it could go “horribly wrong” and Coquelin struggles to have an impact: “He’s certainly got the passion to succeed at Elland Road, it will either inspire him to play out of his skin or get sent off in five minutes.

Coquelin’s career in numbers:

“A little worrying that he hasn’t had a club since June. But if Leeds can get him match fit and sharp, it’s hard to say that a player who made 17 appearances in La Liga last term can’t still contribute at this level.

It’s definitely got the feeling of a signing that could go horribly wrong, but at the same time, I’m backing Coquelin to become a real fan-favourite at Leeds if he does sign. Experience at the top level,” he said.

“Arsenal fans absolutely adored for his passion and commitment. And it speaks volumes about Coquelin’s humility that he’s willing to come in on trial initially, a player who is evidently still motivated to succeed.”