Wenger gave an update on Francis Coquelin and Jack Wilshere after the win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

With Arsenal cruising to a 3-0 win, Aaron Ramsey was substituted for Coquelin to see out the remainder of the match. However Francis quickly fell injured, forcing Arsenal to finish the game with 10 men, and Wenger told the post match press conference the extent of the damage.

Wenger explained on Arsenal.com: “He (Coquelin) has a hamstring [problem]. I don’t know how bad it is but he’s certainly out for next week’s game.”

The other question this raised was whether Jack Wilshere could get an opportunity to come back into the team, taking Coquelin’s place for the next game. Wenger said: “I told you in the [pre-match] press conference that he’s getting stronger and stronger. The fact that Francis is now out gives him a chance as well.

“I don’t know yet (if he will feature on Thursday). He’s not far from that.”

From the way that Wilshere has been speaking on social media, posting on Instagram that he’s “buzzing for more games” and so on, it seems clear that Jack thinks he’s ready for his first senior Arsenal game in over a year.

Wenger has not given the impression that he completely agrees with Jack’s assessment, and Coquelin and Elneny were both selected ahead of him. But now that Coquelin is not available, the England midfielder may get his wish for a return against FC Köln on Thursday.

For what it’s worth, the man from the Arsenal academy put in some impressive performances as he returned to the youth teams to build fitness, up until his red card against Manchester City.

If he can replicate that for the first team (minus the disciplinary issues), he’ll be a good addition to the squad.