Francis Coquelin is expected to miss Friday’s F.A Youth Cup clash with Sunderland as the club’s medical staff help the Frenchman back to full fitness following an ankle injury.
The 17-year-old limped out of last weeks Reserves clash with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, but manager Neil Banfield seemed relaxed about the situation after the full time whistle, telling Arsenal.com:
“I think Coquelin is fine. He has twisted his ankle after Kyle [Bartley] stamped on him when they were defending a cross. I think he’ll be OK.”
However, a scan later showed that the ligaments were damaged, to the extent that Francis couldn’t walk for days after the fixture. We’ll look at potential replacements in our Match Preview tomorrow afternoon.
Turning our attention to the International stage, ‘borrowed’ Reserves striker Eduardo will play 45 minutes of Croatia’s forthcoming friendly with Romania, before making the final push into Arsène Wenger’s first team.
Fellow marksman Benik Afobe has also been selected to represent his country – the 15-year-old will join up with the Under 17’s for the The Algarve Tournament which takes place next month.
Benik, one of the youngest members of the squad, is joined by colleagues Luke Freeman and Emmanuel Frimpong who previously have experience at this level. Tottenham’s John Bostock is also included.
Finally, contrary to reports doing the rounds this week, there is still no update on any potential deal for Brazilian trialist Wellington. Quotes emerged eon Tuesday which suggested the Fluminense winger was mulling over contact offers from Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
But the quotes were actually from the 17-year-old Sao Paulo midfielder of the same name. You can check out the latest on Wellington Here.
Article By – J.Sanderson
J, the Spurs reserve game on Monday week, won’t we have a few players missing?
Eduardo will be with the Croatia squad- not to annoyed as that will be more competitive even though a friendly
Wilshere and Lansbury with the England u-19’s
Merida will be probably called up to the u-19’s or u-21’s if they have a game.
Am I right in thinking Randall will be available as his suspension includes 1st team games as well?
Nope, Randall will be suspended for the Reserves – as Mannone was before.
But yes, plus the likes of Rodgers and Steer have left since.. so it’s gonna be an Under 18 team and a chance to look at some of the future starlets.
eduardo is going to play for croatia?wotz wrong with bilic?he better come back safe.
So does that mean that we’re in for that Sao Paulo too? Maybe we could swap Denilson.
I’m glad we are starting to see a reserve team not be so crowded w/ shit tbh. These spots are essential to future starlets and w/ Rodgers and Steer etc. starting to leave the picture, we can start giving more time to those who possibly deserve it more.
“But yes, plus the likes of Rodgers and Steer have left since.. so it’s gonna be an Under 18 team and a chance to look at some of the future starlets.”
Good, i might even go to see it instead of watching it on ATV now i’ve worked out how to get there from where i’m staying in London.
Good news about Afobe aswell, looks like a massive talent and getting called up to the U17s at his age doesnt happen to many players, only the ones the coaches see as a bit special.
Shame about Coquelin and Wellington, but atleast Coquelin’s injury doesnt sound serious. I really hope we sign Wellington, since Arsenal seem to have a tendancy to shy away from the really explosive players, the only player i can think of at the club who has both the ability and the will to take the ball and just go for it is Walcott. Although both Frimpong and Coquelin have shown glimpses of that ability.
As far as I’m concerned you can argue all you want about our defenders and finding a player that really compliments Fabregas like Flamini eventually managed to do, but all that really stands between us and having a side that can build on the success of the one now completely gone is that kind of Messi type player, along the lines of him, robben, overmars, the kind of player who can do all the quick short passes, and slow building attacks, but can also just take the ball and explode with it. Walcott is that kind of player but he needs to work on his technique as he tends to be a bit hit and miss when it comes to quick passes and controling the ball.
And Rhys Murphy is still injured, isn’t he?
http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/13475/Adams_and_Bruce_battle_it_out_for_Merida_loan_.aspx
News is going round that Merida will be loaned out to either Portsmouth or Wigan heres one link http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/13475/Adams_and_Bruce_battle_it_out_for_Merida_loan_.aspx
I had the same injury as coquelin, got it playin rugby for the mighty clogher valley, and i missed around 3 weeks of sport
is the algarve tournament gonna be on any tv channels j?
J, totally unrelated to the post and a bit random but was hoping you would answer a question given your knowledge of the reserves.
When Denilson arrived from Sao Paolo did he play regularly for the reserves? Im not sure that he played too many games. Did he? Thanks in advanced.