Arsenal would be running away with the Premier League title this season if Arsene Wenger had dropped one particular star name
Gunners have won every, single game when Francis Coquelin has missed out, winning just 50 per cent with him in the side
ARSENAL were left shell-shocked at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night after Watford hit them with an early, three-minute double salvo to run out 2-1 winners.
It was the first time all season Arsene Wenger's men had conceded in the opening 15 minutes... doing so twice.
While the team, manager and supporters were all left stunned, perhaps there's one reason they oughtn't have been - Francis Coquelin.
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But first, a little history... Last season French defensive midfielder was being dubbed the saviour of Arsenal after breaking into the first team.
Coquelin joined the club in 2008 yet only burst onto the scene last term when injuries forced Wenger to play his ninth-choice centre-mid.
His combative style saw Arsenal's form improve with Coquelin seen as the reason why.
Fast forward 12 months and suddenly the Frenchman could be forgiven for feeling like the reason behind the Gunners' shaky form of late.
This season, in all competitions, Arsenal have won just 12 of their 24 games with Coquelin in the side, losing five and drawing a further seven.
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But here's the really intriguing bit - of the ten games in which Coquelin has NOT played, Arsene Wenger's men have won every, single one of them.
Not just the win-rate, the rest of the statistics make for mind-blowing reading.
For instance, when Coquelin plays Arsenal score an average of 2.2 goals per game, while conceding 1.3.
However, with the Frenchman missing out the Gunners improve their tally to 3 goals per game scored and just 0.4 goals conceded.
Most important of all is the points per game total, which stands at a very average 1.8 with Coquelin in the team.
Without him however, it's a full three points per game...
It's simple Mr Wenger, if you want to win the league just drop Coquelin, you'll have the title wrapped up in no time at all...