Wenger confirms Coquelin out for 12 weeks with knee injury
Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has been ruled out for 12 weeks, according to Arsene Wenger.
Coquelin suffered a knee ligament injury in the first half of the 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.
Speaking after Arsenal's 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League, Wenger said he doesn't expect the Frenchman back until the new year.
"Coquelin's injury is what we feared basically," Wenger said. "We had the scan. Let's be realistic and say 12 weeks. He doesn't need a surgery. It is a medial knee ligament."
The 24-year-old has emerged as a key member of Arsenal's starting XI after starring in the 2-0 victory at Manchester City last season, sitting in front of the back four to shield the defence.
Wenger's midfield options are now severely depleted with Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all miss the trip to West Brom.
One positive note, Aaron Ramsey made a return to the field as a second-half sub against Dinamo.
