Coquelin - Cabaye was a great addition

Francis Coquelin says Yohan Cabaye has been a “very good signing” for Crystal Palace.

The France midfielder joined the Eagles last summer and has scored six goals in 34 appearances, including an 86th-minute penalty against Reading to secure Palace’s place in the FA Cup semi-final.

Coquelin is set to line up against Cabaye on Sunday at Emirates Stadium, and the 24-year-old had plenty of praise for his compatriot ahead of the game.

“He brought a little bit of technique into their midfield,” he said. “He’s been a very good signing for them and has scored quite a few goals.

“I knew him from France where he played for Lille, then he moved to Newcastle and then to Paris, so I know a lot about him. He’s a great player and I think he was a great addition to the Palace team.

“Their fans were so excited when he signed. If you look a the whole squad, it’s a really strong group, so I’m quite surprised that they are where they are in the league.

“I think they went 12 games without a win so I was a little bit surprised, especially with the quality they have. They have a good manager as well who has done terrific things for them.

“Over the course of a season, especially this year, you don’t know what to expect. Anywhere you go, you can lose so it’s a difficult season for all teams. It’s a surprise to see where they are but we know that any team you face can be a problem.”