Francis Coquelin says Arsenal squad have no ‘problem’ with ‘top’ Chilean ace

Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, who made the jump to La Liga outfit Valencia CF during the current transfer window, has defused rumours surrounding Alexis Sanchez’s supposedly disruptive attitude in the dressing room by claiming that the squad have no ‘problem’ with the wantaway Chilean.

Sanchez’s highly-anticipated switch to Manchester United from the Gunners is imminent, and it’s believed that the inexhaustible attacker could be a ‘Red Devil’ within the next 48 hours.

Coquelin worked closely with Sanchez during his career at the Emirates, and though it’s thought that the ex-Barcelona star caused divide within the locker room, the French midfielder insists that the diminutive winger’s ‘ego’ didn’t hinder the atmosphere amongst the players.

Speaking to BBC’s Football Focus – via Football.London – Coquelin openly revealed: “Well, you know Alexis Sanchez has quality on the pitch. He is someone who, at any time, he can produce something magical so he is a top player,

“I hear a lot of things that the dressing room wasn’t getting on well with him but I don’t really know where that comes from.”

A tireless ethic on the turf is what’s associated with Sanchez, but with his driven temperament, the 29-year-old often made his feelings known on match-day if something went out of his or his team’s favour.

“Sometimes that’s what people say when you’ve got a great player,” Coquelin proceeded. “We talk about ego but he is someone who is always keen to work and I didn’t have any problem with him.

“I don’t think the squad have a problem. I think the only problem is the uncertainty around him. They probably don’t know what next week is going to be, if he’s going to be here or not.

“That’s what the transfer window is all about so they will probably know in the next couple of days or so.”