5 things learned from Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace: Cech, Coquelin, Alexis & Giroud in focus

3. Francis Coquelin is reckless

Arsenal really need to sign a new defensive midfielder. Not only does Coquelin lack the necessary talent to play for a genuine title challenger, he is reckless and has poor discipline. He picked up a first-half yellow card today and really should have been shown a second booking on two occasions, but referee Lee Mason opted to show leniency. Coquelin was hooked by Wenger on 64 minutes. There is no way he would have lasted the full 90 without being sent off.