Arsenal midfielder Coquelin could miss the rest of 2016

Joe Williams

Francis Coquelin’s injury could be worse than first feared and the Arsenal midfielder might be sidelined until the New Year.

Coquelin was taken off in the first half of the 3-0 victory over Chelsea and it is thought the Frenchman has suffered a recurrence of the medial ligament injury which kept him out for two months of last season.

The 25-year-old will undergo a scan on Monday but the Daily Mail suggests the player will face a fight to appear again this calendar year.

Arsene Wenger admits the injury looked “bad”, although the Arsenal boss will be relieved to have a direct replacement available in £35million summer signing Granit Xhaka.

Switzerland international Xhaka has been eased into the Premier League so far, starting only twice, but has impressed in his limited game time.