Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed midfielder Francis Coquelin will leave the club in the transfer window.

The Frenchman, speaking after his side drew 0-0 with Chelsea in a hard-fought London derby in the Carbao Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening, revealed the 26-year-old will be heading to Spain’s La Liga.

It is understood Coquelin is to sign for Spanish side Valencia for a fee of around £12 million after turning down West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Wenger said: “He goes to Valencia, he didn’t get enough games.

“I let him go. The best way to replace him is getting [Aaron] Ramsey and [Mesut] Ozil back. Then we’ll see. We have players injured.”

Coquelin, who joined Arsenal in 2008 looked to be on his way out of the club four years ago, before he was recalled to play in a 2-1 victory at West Ham in December 2014. He then went on to keep his place and star in an excellent 2-0 win at the Etihad against Manchester City a few weeks later.

Coquelin, who had spent time on loan at Charlton, reflected on that change of fortune in an interview with this correspondent in 2016 when he said: “If we had lost that game 4-0 to West Ham I would never have played for Arsenal again.

“That, and the City game saved my Arsenal career”.

Until now it appears.