‘To play for France would be amazing'

Francis Coquelin says it would be “unbelievable” to play for the France senior team ahead of Euro 2016.

The 24-year-old won the Uefa European Under-19 Championship in 2010 but has not represented his country since making his final under-21 appearance in 2012.

However, Coquelin believes that another impressive season for Arsenal could result in his first call-up to Didier Deschamps’ senior side in time for next summer’s tournament in his homeland.

“Every player wants to represent their country and the Euros in France is something massive for any French player to be a part of,” the midfielder told Arsenal Player. “To be part of the squad would be amazing but there are loads of things to do first and the most important thing is Arsenal.

“If I play well here maybe I will get a chance for France, but the most important thing is Arsenal. As any French player would, though, you want to play for France and hopefully it can happen one day.

“It would be unbelievable. I won the Under-19 Euros and it was something unbelievable as well. To win the Euros with the French national team would be even more crazy. If I perform well here, maybe I will get the chance to play for France but I think the most important thing is to stay focused on Arsenal and then things will come along.”

France will host the European Championships and Coquelin has fond memories of the last major tournament to take place in his country, the 1998 World Cup.

“Of course I remember it,” he said. “All my family were watching the games so I remember it well. It was such a great feeling. To play in front of a home crowd in France would be unbelievable with the support of all the French people. We have to wait and see, and work hard, that’s the most important thing.”