'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made it clear that Francis Coquelin will be out for at least two months, The Telegraph reports. Wenger now must surely be mulling over his decision of not signing any outfield player during the summer transfer window, even though he had a considerable amount of money to spend.
The news comes as a big blow for Gunners who are set to face Dinamo Zagreb in a must-win Champions League clash on Tuesday at the Emirates. Another fresh absentee from Arsenal’s midfield is Mikel Arteta. Both the central midfielders suffered injuries against West Bromwich Albion in a match which the Gunners lost 2-1.
“Mikel Arteta is out short-term, Coquelin is longer,” he said. “How big is the damage we don’t know. Coquelin has a scan today. It is of course a disappointment to lose him longer term.
“We have lost a player of quality but we have in the squad players who can compensate. Coquelin is out for at least two months. We have had so many bad surprises on the scans, so I don't want to speculate more."
On the other hand, the news of Aaron Ramsey’s return to fitness comes as a respite for the North Londoners who are already without Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Tomas Rosicky.
Wenger considers Calum Chambers as a possible replacement for Coquelin with Mathieu Flamini being another option for the vacant midfield spot. However, the Frenchman did not rule out the possibility of a January signing.
“We have players that can play in [Coquelin’s] position. Chambers has been educated in that position. I’ll do what’s needed in January even though in Jan it is not an ideal transfer market.”
Wenger also accepted that November has not been a good month for them as they have lost a number of key players through injuries.
"I must say we have been hit very hard in November. We have lost a few players," he said.
Arsenal lost to the Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb when they met each other earlier in the group stage. However, the Gunners will hope that they can turn the tables in their own backyard.
“We were unlucky on the day as we played with ten men but we should have got a better result.
“The players like to compete at the top. We have the ability in the squad to do that,” Wenger said on the match against Zagreb.
