Jack Wilshere has hailed Francis Coquelin's recent displays, and insists there is more to come from the young midfielder.
The 23-year-old put in another energetic performance at Manchester United on Monday, which has become his trademark since returning from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic.
"Not everyone has that ability to win the ball back and to be aggressive"
Wilshere on Coquelin
Wilshere has witnessed Coquelin's battling qualities since playing alongside him in the 2009 FA Youth Cup-winning side, and believes there is more to the Frenchman than being a midfield spoiler.
"I've played with Francis in midfield since I was 15," Wilshere told the official matchday programme.
"I used to wind him up by saying, ‘Listen, you do all the dirty work and the tackling and then let me have the ball!' But the thing is, he loves that side of it. He's really good at it, he's tenacious, the way he always goes after the ball. Not everyone has that ability to win the ball back and to be aggressive.
"I thought it was strange how he didn’t break through before because I've always felt that he could be the one to play in that position for us.
"I think there's much more to come from him as well. He's a great defensive midfielder, but going forward he was always a threat in the youth team. I think he can score goals too.”
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