Wenger: Francis Coquelin suffers broken nose during Gunners' victory over Everton

Francis Coquelin treated for bloodied nose after clash with Olivier Giroud

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Francis Coquelin broke his nose during the Gunners' victory over Everton this afternoon, with the Arsenal boss unsure whether he will need surgery.

The Frenchman clashed with compatriot Olivier Giroud in the 67th minute which caused the break, and suffered a second collision in the closing stages when he went up for a header with Steven Naismith.

That led to Coquelin being substituted, and it has now been confirmed his nose is broken.

"Yes Coquelin has broken his nose" disclosed Wenger, when asked after the win at the Emirates.

"I don’t know [how long he will be out], I hope not. I don’t know whether he will need surgery or not.

"They told me he was bleeding but that he could stay on. The second time he was hit again so after that I had to take him off. I had been told by the medical people that he could stay on.

"He wanted to stay on. He didn’t play here for a long time so now that he plays, of course he doesn’t want to come off the pitch."

Wenger is already missing Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere in the middle of the park, and now looks like being without his unlikely enforcer, who has impressed since returning from a loan spell with Charlton Athletic.

Goals from Olivier Giroud and Tomas Rosicky gave Wenger's side the victory, which puts them in third place in the Premier League.