Arsenal Team News: Wenger Confirms Injury Blow + Wilshere & Welbeck Update

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Francis Coquelin will miss this weekend’s trip to Leicester while he also gave an update on Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky.

Coquelin missed the midweek win over Tottenham in the Capital One Cup after suffering a knee injury against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Wenger said after the game that it was only a minor knock but it looks as though it’s going to be enough to keep him out against Leicester tomorrow and our Champions League clash with Olympiacos on Tuesday, but Coquelin could return to face Manchester United next week.

The boss also gave an update on Jack Wilshere and says the midfielder’s surgery was a success after he had an operation on his fractured fibula this week.

Jack has a long road to recovery as he isn’t expected back in action until Christmas but hopefully everything goes smoothly for him as his development is being stunted by his constant injury problems.

Wenger also gave the latest on Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky with the boss saying the duo are both progressing well as they continue to recover from knee surgery.

The only other team news doubt we have for tomorrow’s game is Gabriel, with the Brazilian international still waiting [at the time of writing] to find out what punishment he’ll face from the FA following his improper conduct charge.

Speaking to the media ahead of their trip to the King Power, Arsene told Arsenal.com:

on team news…

After Tuesday night we have no new injuries. We have an uncertainty about Gabriel as his case will come forward today and we will find out if he is suspended or not and overall that is the news we have.

on Coquelin…

He is progressing well, but he will not be available for Leicester. He has a scan today but the evolution is quite positive. He might start practice tomorrow. He has a little chance for Tuesday, and a bigger chance for Man United. It is very difficult to be definite today.

on Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky…

They are all doing well. Jack just had surgery so at the moment he cannot do anything. Danny is doing well, Tomas Rosicky as well.

on Wilshere’s operation…

It was very successful and touch wood hopefully all goes well now.

It’s a blow to lose Coquelin for tomorrow’s game as he’s been outstanding since coming into the side last January and Arsene must now decide how best to cope with his absence.

Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are the two players vying to start alongside Santi Cazorla – who returns from suspension – but Flamini may have put himself in the driving seat following his excellent performance against Spurs.