David Seaman predicts Arsenal revival once star man returns

Francis Coquelin has been ruled out of action for three months with a knee problem

DAVID SEAMAN says Arsenal will be back to their best only when Francis Coquelin recovers from injury.

 

Coquelin, 24, has been ruled out for three months with a knee ligament injury picked up in the Gunners' 2-1 loss at West Brom.

Mathieu Flamini filled in for the ace against Dynamo Zagreb but is not expected to retain the defensive midfield position for the long run.

Manager Arsene Wenger says he will look to sign defensive midfield cover in the January transfer market.

 

And former goalkeeper Seaman says Arsenal may falter without their central talisman.

"It's a really good side when everybody's fit, but at the moment they are struggling, although they are still getting results," Seaman said at the Pride of Sport Awards.

"If you look at the injury list it's quite big, main players as well that would normally be in the team. We're coping with that just.

"Coquelin's injury's a big blow because there's nobody else like him in the squad at the moment. Once we get a few back we will be all right."

 

Wenger yesterday confirmed he is ready to sign players come January - but only at the right price.

“I love a bargain, who doesn’t!” Wenger joked when asked about Black Friday, when retailers slash their prices on select products.

“There are not many people who don’t like a bargain.

 

“What is for us a bargain is to buy a player of top quality because only top quality strengthens our squad.

“I bought Patrick Vieira for example for £2.5million. He was a top bargain because he was a top quality player.

“We spent nearly £40m on Ozil and I still consider him a bargain because the player is top quality. What has to be a priority is the quality of the player.”