Arsenal FC news: Arsene Wenger reveals Francis Coquelin out for up to four weeks

Arsenal are set to be without midfielder Francis Coquelin until February because of a hamstring injury.

Coquelin was replaced after just 28 minutes during the Gunners' 3-3 draw against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Arsene Wenger said the Frenchman would be out for three to four weeks at his press conference on Thursday morning.

He also said that the club were monitoring the fitness of Spanish forward Lucas Perez, who has an ankle injury.

With Perez likely to be sidelined against Preston this Saturday, Wenger hinted that striker Danny Welbeck could return in the FA Cup third-round tie.

Having not made a first-team appearance since May, the forward is likely to start from the bench rather than being thrown straight into the first XI.

"Physically his fitness is at quite a good level but, of course, the ideal way is to give him two or three games in the under-23s," Wenger revealed.

"The situation is not always ideal sometimes you have to hurry up."