Is Coquelin really among Europe's best defensive midfielders?

The Frenchman ranks highly in key statistics when compared to midfield destroyers across the Premier League and Europe

Arsene Wenger's recent suggestion that Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin is statistically the best midfielder in Europe was met with raised eyebrows in some quarters, but the statistics suggest that the Frenchman's comments were not too far from the truth.

Coquelin has cemented his position in front of the Arsenal defence in recent months, after returning from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic in December, though the midfielder's selection has attracted criticism from former Manchester United defender Gary Neville.