Former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has been hospitalised after an ugly clash of heads. Coquelin, 35, is now playing for French second division side Stade Lavallois.
The two-time FA Cup winner endured a sickening, but accidental, collision with Nantes ace Wilitty Younoussa during their most recent encounter. Volunteer medics from the French Red Cross immediately ran onto the field to treat the midfielder.
Match halted for treatment
The match was halted for a long time while he and Younoussa received treatment on the pitch before being rushed to hospital for further scans. Reports in France have claimed there is concern Coquelin has suffered a broken eye socket.
French journalist Raphael Faurie-Pacaud wrote: "After his heavy collision with Younoussa, Coquelin was taken to the hospital but conscious."
"Suspicion of an orbital floor fracture for the player who was making his first appearance with the Tango at Le Basser. He could be side-lined from the field for several months."
Manager fears serious injury
There was also little optimism about the Frenchman's condition from his head coach David Vignes. The Laval manager said the injury is expected to be "pretty serious" and could keep him side-lined for a long time.
It's a devastating injury for Coquelin who was only making his second appearance for his boyhood club. He returned to his hometown side this summer after spending 18 months at Nantes.
Homecoming and career highlights
18 years previously, the midfielder departed Laval to move to Arsenal. Before he swapped France for north London, he had been with the French side since the age of nine years old.
When he returned to the club this summer, he signed a one-year deal with an option for an additional year, before stating this would be the final move of his career. After his return was confirmed, the club uploaded a post of him wearing the shirt and issued an emotional tribute.
They wrote: "Twenty years after leaving his hometown for Arsenal, he’s coming home! After stints in England and Spain—where he won the Europa League with Villarreal CF in 2021—and a spell at FC Nantes, Francis Coquelin has signed with Stade Lavallois MFC. Welcome home, Francis.
He and his club will now be praying he can quickly recover from the injury and get back onto the pitch. Laval did go on to beat Coquelin's former side 2-1 thanks to a last minute winner from Mathis Houdayer.
While at Arsenal, he made 160 appearances over the course of his time at the club, winning two FA Cup titles while in north London.
