Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that both Francis Coquelin and Olivier Giroud will miss Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with FC Basel at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners face the Swiss side in North London and are desperate for their first victory in Europe for the 2016-17 campaign, but will have to do this without the French duo.
Coquelin has been getting the nod to play in central midfield in recent weeks despite extreme competition for places, but was removed in the 32nd minute of the side’s 3-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
The former Charlton Athletic loanee was expected to be on the sidelines for some time, but Wenger has delivered some positive news on the combative midfielder.
“He is out for the game tomorrow, but it should be a short-term injury because the scan was quite positive and I think it will be three weeks out,” the Frenchman told the club’s official website.
“It’s positive because last year during this period we got some bad news and a few long-term injuries and it was a handicap in our season.
“After you play always the same players and you lose a little bit of your edge physically. The fact is we have a compact squad, but of top quality, so to keep everybody together is a big plus.”
Giroud meanwhile is not available after being sent off against Paris Saint-Germain in the opening Champions League fixture, but the French forward is also seemingly set to miss the Premier League clash against Burnley this weekend.
“He is not available, he is suspended because he was sent off at PSG. He is a doubt for Sunday, we will see,” Wenger confirmed.
