When Francis Coquelin injured his knee in the 2-1 defeat to West Brom yesterday, the Arsenal collective held its breath, crossed its fingers, and hoped for the best.

Although it has yet to be officially confirmed, rumours abound this evening that he’s suffered damage to his medial collateral ligament and could be set for a lengthy absence.

If true, it will mean the midfielder would miss the crucial and hectic festive period, and with Mikel Arteta out also and increasingly injury prone, Jack Wilshere still on his way back from injury, and Aaron Ramsey just on the brink of a comeback following a hamstring strain, it leaves us pretty light in the engine room.

We’ll keep fingers crossed, but Coquelin is due to have a scan, and with Arsene Wenger set to meet the press ahead of the Dinamo Zagreb game we should get more info tomorrow.