Three months ago Francis Coquelin was surplus to requirements at Arsenal , now the French midfielder is considered so vital to their plans he 's forced to play even if not fully fit . The 23-year-old was involved in a collision with team-mate Olivier Giroud against Everton at the weekend that left him with a fractured nose and bloodied shirt . The situation worsened when Coquelin was involved in a second clash in the same game , which led to him writhing on the floor in agony before being substituted . Francis Coquelin , who suffered a fractured nose in Arsenal 's previous match , playing in his protective mask . The French midfielder at full stretch in mid-air during the Premier League clash on Wednesday evening . Coquelin 's unusual head gear , made by Cavendish Imaging , did n't appear to hinder his performance . Arsene Wenger even admitted Coquelin underwent a minor surgical procedure following the incident , but that did n't stop him playing just three days later against QPR . Coquelin , known for his robust style of play , wore a white protective mask during the Premier League clash at Loftus Road . But the former France Under 21 international showed no signs of being hindered by the unusual-looking head gear , throwing himself into tackles in a physical encounter in west London . Arsenal midfielder FCoquelin broke his nose after two knocks to the face on Sunday against Everton . The first collision was mid-air with team-mate Olivier Giroud in the second-half of the 2-0 victory . Calum Chambers was called on to replace Coquelin in the late stages after his second knock to the face .
Arsenal faced QPR at Loftus Road in their Premier League clash . French midfielder Francis Coquelin played wearing a protective mask . Coquelin fractured his nose after a collision with Olivier Giroud on Sunday .