The injury sustained by Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin in the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion could be significantly worse than initially feared.
A seemingly innocuous challenge with Claudio Yacob forced the tenacious Frenchman off just 14 minutes into Saturday’s game with the Baggies and he worryingly departed the Hawthorns on crutches.
James Olley of the London Evening Standard reports that Coquelin is still being assessed by Arsenal’s medical staff, however, the early prognosis suggests knee ligament damage.
Doesn’t sound good on Coquelin. Still being assessed but suspected knee ligament damage. Arteta has calf injury. Both out for Tuesday. #afc
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) November 22, 2015
Coquelin has established himself as an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s side over the past 12 months and his absence would present a huge blow to the Gunners ahead of a hectic winter schedule that will likely make or break their season.
The 24-year-old has already been ruled out of Tuesday’s pivotal UEFA Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb and the midfield lynchpin could face a prolonged spell on the sidelines if the initial diagnosis is confirmed.
Wenger suffered a further injury blow when Coquelin’s replacement, Mikel Arteta, was subbed off early in the second half at the Hawthorns after suffering a recurrence of his troublesome calf issue.
The ailing Spaniard will also miss Tuesday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, leaving the Gunners alarmingly thin on viable midfield options.
