Arsenal Boost – Star Set To Make Injury Return This Weekend

Arsenal have been handed a major injury boost with the Telegraph reporting today that Francis Coquelin is set to make a surprise first team return against Burnley.

Coquelin has not featured since suffering knee ligament damage during our defeat at West Brom and was expected to be out until late February after undergoing surgery in November.

The Frenchman recovered far quicker than expected and Coquelin was able to resume full training last week with a view to playing for the Under-21’s before being considered for a return to the first team fold.

However, with the Under-21’s playing away at Stoke this weekend, the Telegraph suggest that Arsene Wenger views Saturday’s home FA Cup tie against Burnley as a more suitable game to reintegrate Coquelin back into the squad.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a solid week back in full training and if that continues over the coming week, then we should see the midfielder back in the squad to face Burnley this weekend.

It’s not clear whether Arsene will decide to start Coquelin or give him 30 minutes in the second half with a view to then handing him a start during our Premier League clash against Southampton three days later, but I have a feeling the boss won’t push him too hard too soon.

Coquelin’s return comes as a major boost as we’ve had to rely on Mathieu Flamini in the holding role over the past nine weeks and while the 31-year-old has exceeded my expectations, there’s no doubt Francis is a more complete player who offers far more to the team.

Let’s hope he can make a successful return to the pitch this weekend as he’ll have a major role to play during the second half of the season as we look to land the Premier League title.