Has the injury to Coquelin crocked Arsenal?
The emergence of Francis Coquelin as one of Arsenal's key players in the last campaign may stand second best only to the story of the rise of a certain Harry Kane. The decision of Arsene Wenger to call back Coquelin from his loan spell was vindicated as Coquelin went on to become a pivotal player in the latter half of the campaign for the gunners.
However, this was a player who was sent on loan to Charlton and was recalled back only because of an injury crisis at Arsenal. Coquelin could have been easily forgiven if he had felt he would never make it at Arsenal due to the increasing number of loan spells he had before returning back to his parent club. However, his return gave Arsenal that much needed physicality and aggressiveness which was lacking in that defensive midfield position.
For a club like Arsenal, who at the start of last season aimed for the title, it was laughable to have Arteta and Flamini as their two main defensive midfielders. Coquelin handled that problem pretty well last season and Wenger rewarded him by not signing another midfielder in this summer transfer window. The signing of Cech was considered as a statement of intent but what followed was embarrassing to say the least. Wenger failed to sign even a single outfield player in the summer transfer window.
The manager having faith in his current crop of players is a good sign, but the importance of refreshing your squad can never be underestimated. Wenger only has to look at the problems of his nemesis Mourinho for an answer. The most likely position to be hit was the defensive midfield position.
Surely Wenger cannot afford to think of Flamini and Arteta as able deputies for Coquelin. One was supposed to be a stop gap and the other is a make shift defensive midfielder. By not signing a good cover or an upgrade for Coquelin, Wenger actually put all his eggs in one basket. When that basket is someone who has never played for one whole season at a stretch at the highest level , bad things are just waiting to happen and the only one who should be rightly blamed is the manager.
The November crisis has struck Arsenal once again. Coquelin is believed to be out for at least 3 months. The injury to Cazorla and Sanchez is another headache for Wenger, However, it is the absence of Coquelin that will hit Wenger and Arsenal the most. The French international gave Arsenal that much needed bite in the midfield and now it seems that it would be the struggling Calum Chambers that would take that vital position. However, with the club staring at Europa league and the title chase not looking convincing, apparently Arsenal may have passed another big opportunity this season.
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| Francis Coquelin will be out for 12 weeks with a knee ligament injury |
For a club like Arsenal, who at the start of last season aimed for the title, it was laughable to have Arteta and Flamini as their two main defensive midfielders. Coquelin handled that problem pretty well last season and Wenger rewarded him by not signing another midfielder in this summer transfer window. The signing of Cech was considered as a statement of intent but what followed was embarrassing to say the least. Wenger failed to sign even a single outfield player in the summer transfer window.
The manager having faith in his current crop of players is a good sign, but the importance of refreshing your squad can never be underestimated. Wenger only has to look at the problems of his nemesis Mourinho for an answer. The most likely position to be hit was the defensive midfield position.
Surely Wenger cannot afford to think of Flamini and Arteta as able deputies for Coquelin. One was supposed to be a stop gap and the other is a make shift defensive midfielder. By not signing a good cover or an upgrade for Coquelin, Wenger actually put all his eggs in one basket. When that basket is someone who has never played for one whole season at a stretch at the highest level , bad things are just waiting to happen and the only one who should be rightly blamed is the manager.
The November crisis has struck Arsenal once again. Coquelin is believed to be out for at least 3 months. The injury to Cazorla and Sanchez is another headache for Wenger, However, it is the absence of Coquelin that will hit Wenger and Arsenal the most. The French international gave Arsenal that much needed bite in the midfield and now it seems that it would be the struggling Calum Chambers that would take that vital position. However, with the club staring at Europa league and the title chase not looking convincing, apparently Arsenal may have passed another big opportunity this season.