Former Arsenal midfielder, Francis Coquelin, will miss the rest of the season after his worst fears were confirmed.

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha (L) vies with Villarreal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin during the Spanish League football match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on February 12, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Raphinha (L) vies with Villarreal’s French midfielder Francis Coquelin during the Spanish League football match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on February 12, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP) (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Francis Coquelin will miss the remainder of the season for Villarreal due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The injury occurred during a match against Barcelona earlier this week, and medical tests confirmed the worst prognosis.

Coquelin will undergo surgery and the usual recovery period for this type of injury is around six months.

Since leaving Arsenal, Coquelin, now 31, has suffered a host of injuries. Achilles irritation kept him out of 19 games, while an Achilles tendon rupture sidelined him for 15. Those two injuries alone kept him out for a total of 293 days.

As with his time at Arsenal, ankle and hamstring problems have also been an issue, combining to sideline him for a further 26 games.

Coquelin began his youth career at AS du Bourny and later moved to Laval before joining Arsenal’s academy in 2008. He made his senior debut for Arsenal in a League Cup match against Sheffield United in September 2008.

Over the next few years, Coquelin went out on several loan spells to gain experience and playing time.

He returned to Arsenal in 2014 and became a regular in the team under then-manager Arsène Wenger.

Coquelin played an important role in Arsenal’s midfield, providing defensive cover and allowing the team’s more creative players to attack.

He made over 100 appearances for Arsenal during his time at the club and helped them win two FA Cup titles in 2015 and 2017.

In January 2018, Coquelin left Arsenal to join Valencia in La Liga.

He spent three seasons with the Spanish club before joining Villarreal in 2021.