Arsenal's Coquelin to miss 'at least 2 months' with knee injury
The injury bug, as always seems to be the case, continues to feed on Arsenal.
Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the worst fears of supporters on Monday, revealing that vital holding midfielder Francis Coquelin sustained a serious knee injury in the weekend loss to West Brom.
The boss on Coquelin: "I'm always cautious. It will be at least two months but I don't want to speculate more than that." #AFCvZAG
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 23, 2015
Coquelin, 24, has established himself as an automatic starter in Wenger's midfield since he returned to the club from a loan spell at Charlton last year, starting 12 of the Gunners' 13 Premier League matches during the current campaign and featuring in all four Champions League games.
Yet, Wenger believes the club has the necessary squad depth to overcome the extended loss of his compatriot.
"It is of course a disappointment to lose him in the longer term but we have in the squad the players who can compensate," the bench boss said. "We have lost a player of quality for a while but we know that can happen.
"I will give myself time, we have players who play in this position like Mathieu Flamini and players who can play there like Calum Chambers.
"Sometimes this is a good opportunity for other players to turn up and do the job. I will do what is needed in January, knowing as well it is not an ideal transfer market."