Arsenal Transfer News: Arsene Wenger Mulls January Buy to Cover Francis Coquelin

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger isn’t exactly renowned for splashing the cash during the January transfer window, but the club’s current injury crisis could force him to change his stubborn ways this time around.

The latest name on the Gunners’ ever-growing injury list is defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, who will be out for at least two months after sustaining knee ligament damage in the 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, according to BBC Sport.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan was one of many Arsenal fans disgruntled by the Frenchman’s setback:

However, it seems Coquelin’s injury could finally give Arsenal what they want, as Wenger admitted he might have to react with a January purchase, via Liam Corless of Daily Mirror: “I’ll do what’s needed in January even though in January it is not an ideal transfer market.”

The Gunners’ only natural options in the holding role are Mathieu Flamini and club captain Mikel Arteta, although the latter currently finds himself on the treatment table, too.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

That much looks to have twisted Wenger’s arm into giving Calum Chambers the nod in midfield, and he said that the Englishman could well line up there in Tuesday’s vital Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb: “We have players that can play in [Coquelin’s] position. Chambers has been educated in that position.”

However, Bleacher Report’s James McNicholas believes that simply putting another body in Coquelin’s position isn’t good enough and Wenger should have prepared for this eventuality back in the summer.

"Coquelin is arguably the one player in the squad for whom there is no suitable replacement," McNicholas wrote. "Many fans wanted Wenger to acquire a player to provide cover and competition in the summer, but instead the Gunners boss chose to hand a contract extension to Mikel Arteta."

The stats support McNicholas’ argument, too, as Bleacher Report UK revealed the Gunners have a much better win-percentage with Coquelin in their ranks rather than without:

Here's a reminder of why the Frenchman is so valuable to Arsenal's cause:

So, who will Wenger turn to in January?

Well, one option is Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, who has been linked with a switch to the Emirates for some time.

The Poland international has been one of La Liga’s top performers this season, displaying all the attributes that could make him a Premier League star.

However, Krychowiak told Sport.pl that he’s not particularly keen on heading to England because of the weather, via George Bellshaw of Metro: “A future in England? It’s too cold there.”

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Many fans have also been calling for Wenger to bring in highly rated Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, yet the player’s agent, Donato Di Campli, told France Football that his client is worth €100 million, as reported by the Telegraph.

It’s safe to say Wenger needs to do a bit of shopping around before he finds the right man for the job, although it wouldn’t exactly be surprising to see him stick with what he’s got.

Arsenal finally have the look of a side capable of winning the Premier League, yet unless the manager acts intelligently and sharply, we could see yet another promising Gunners campaign peter out into nothingness.