Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was planning to let Francis Coquelin leave Arsenal at the end of the season.
The Frenchman, who was loaned out to Charlton Athletic at the start of the season, had looked set to depart the North London club on a free transfer in the summer.
However, Wenger claims that an "open-minded" approach has led to Coquelin being given the chance to establish himself.
He is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "We had a chat in mid-season and I decided if he doesn't play at Christmas at all, and there's only six months of his contract to go, I would let him go somewhere else. He was not in my plans in pre-season. It is a surprise to everybody.
"The only thing I do is that I never say never to anybody. In my job you have to be open-minded. You have to make decisions. But never close the door completely to anybody.
"He wants to play because he knows it's an opportunity for him. The human being is a strange animal. Sometimes when you wait for such a long time to get your chance and you get it, the more you enjoy it."
Arsenal could close to within one point of Manchester City if they can beat Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Wednesday.
Chris O'Keefe
