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Arsenal: Francis Coquelin Injury Leaves One Option
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal was hit with the devastating news that Francis Coquelin would be out a month. So we are left with one option. Literally, that’s it.
As if times couldn’t get any more trying, Arsenal has now been hit by the news that Francis Coquelin looks to be out for up to a month due to a hamstring injury he sustained against Bournemouth.
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The swashbuckling Frenchman has become a mainstay in the Arsenal midfield, as his ability to man mark and to win the ball back is second to none. He was the defensive midfielder we needed and the one that we continue to need.
And now he is out. Meaning that the Gunners are left with only one option. And I don’t mean that like a “they may have more than one choice, but this is the ‘only’ way they can go”. I mean that the option we are about to discuss is the only way they can go.
That way is Aaron Ramsey. Which is equal parts tantalizing and terrifying. There are two big ways this could go and it is hard to determine which seems more likely.
Ramsey will be slotting in next to Granit Xhaka, as Santi Cazorla is out for quite some time and Mohamed Elneny is on international duty. So the partnership I have been dying to see is finally going to be put in action. And I don’t think I am as excited as I imagined I would be.
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The main detractor from my optimism is this rift between Alexis and Ramsey which has been developing over their past couple shared appearances. I am not looking forward to Ramsey barking for the ball and seeing Alexis scream back at him that he doesn’t deserve the ball, or something like that.
Then there is the heroism factor. Ramsey wants to be the hero, the center of attention. Which can, naturally, get frustrating. Mainly when it isn’t working.
But don’t let me rain all over this parade. Ramsey still has tremendous upside and I am trying really hard to focus on that. He has an engine. He always has. And his defensive abilities have actually looked pretty solid this season, in his few appearances.
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Plus, we know what Ramsey can do if he can get his feet underneath him. The potential here is great because he will be in his natural position. It could just go south really quick and we have to hope and pray that that isn’t what happens.