Arsenal news: Francis Coquelin could be out for months after suffering same knee injury as last season

Wenger confirmed that Coquelin's knee injury was the same as the one he suffered last season

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

Arsene Wenger’s celebratory press conference was soured only by the news that Francis Coquelin could face months on the sidelines after suffering a similar injury to the one that kept him out of a large portion of last season.

The Arsenal midfielder was forced off the field during the 3-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday evening in the 36th minute after suffering pain in his right leg that he picked up when blocking N’Golo Kante’s shot.

The Chelsea midfielder landed accidentally on Coquelin’s left ankle, but Wenger revealed afterwards that it was in fact his right knee that was the cause of concern.

Wenger’s smile immediately wiped off his face as he elaborated on the injury, with the manager confirming that it is the same injury that he suffered at West Brom last November that kept him sidelined for two months with ligament damage.

"He has a knee injury at the same place he had last year at West Brom," Wenger said. "That's the negative of the day.

"We don't know if the damage is as big at the moment, we have to wait for 48 hours. But he left the stadium in a brace and I'm a bit worried for that."

Coquelin was also on the receiving end of a late tackle from former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas that referee Michael Oliver spotted but elected to just warn the Spaniard rather than book him. Coquelin was left rolling in pain after being caught on his foot, but quickly got to his feet as play continued.

Coquelin looks set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a similar injury to his blow last year (Getty)

Apart from the injury to Coquelin, Arsenal emerged from the match with only positives to draw on, and striker Olivier Giroud also returned from his recent toe injury to come on as a second-half substitute for Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean scored his fourth goal in his last three matches to continue his rich vein of form.