Arsenal vs Basel: Arsene Wenger buoyed by speedy Francis Coquelin recovery - sidelined for weeks not months

The French midfielder left the Emirates on Saturday in a brace after hobbling off with a knee injury sustained early on into the 3-0 win over Chelsea

Francis Coquelin suffered a knee injury in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Chelsea (Getty)

Arsenal have received a boost with the news that Francis Coquelin will be sidelined for weeks rather than months.

The French midfielder left the Emirates on Saturday in a brace after hobbling off with a knee injury sustained early on into the 3-0 win over Chelsea.

But Arsenal have learned Coquelin faces just three weeks out. He will miss tomorrow night's Champions League clash with Basel and Sunday's trip to Burnley.

But he could yet be fit to return after the international break, according to Wenger.

"He's out for the game tomorrow but it should be short term," said the Arsenal manager.

"The scan quite positive, think could be three weeks out.

"It’s positive because last year during this period we got a few bad news and a few long-term injuries and it was a handicap in our season.

"After you play always the same players play and you lose a little bit of your edge physically. The fact we have a compact squad, but of top quality, so to keep everybody together is a big plus."

Wenger refused to be drawn into the allegations surrounding Sam Allardyce over a newspaper sting.

The England manager is fighting for his future with the Football Association investigating allegations he used his role to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offer advice on how to "get around" rules on player transfers.

He also recorded explaining how third-party ownership of players, which was banned by the FA in 2008, could be avoided.

Wenger says he has campaigning against this issue for years.

"I can’t tell you anything about that, because I don’t know really, I haven’t even read the story," said Wenger.

"I wouldn’t like to comment on that, it’s too damageable and too heavy as a story so I think you have to let Sam Allardyce defend himself and just hope he will clear his name.

"Third-party ownership should not be allowed. I fight against it for a long, long time.

"The clubs should all possess 100 per cent of their players but I cannot tell you anything about this story because I do not know anything about it."