Arsenal FA Cup winner suffers 'broken eye socket' as medics rush pitch to stop game

One of Arsenal's former FA Cup winners has had to be hospitalised after suffering a shocking injury from a clash of heads

Two-time Arsenal FA Cup winner Francis Coquelin was rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected fractured eye socket. The Frenchman was playing for hometown club Stade Lavallois when he suffered the freak injury.

He was making his second appearance for the French second division side having joined them from Nantes this summer. The 2015 and 2017 FA Cup champion was pitted against his former side, but his contest was ended abruptly after a clash of heads with Wilitty Younoussa

Medics instantly rushed the pitch to treat the former Gunner, who was seen clutching his face in pain. Team-mates from both sides crowded round both players before going on to scuffle with each other.

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."

There was also limited positivity regarding the Frenchman's condition from his head coach David Vignes. The Laval manager indicated the injury is anticipated to be "pretty serious" and may rule him out for an extended spell.

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It represents a crushing blow for Coquelin who was only making his second outing for his boyhood club. He re-joined his hometown side this summer following an 18-month stint at Nantes.

Eighteen years prior, the midfielder left Laval to join Arsenal. Before making the switch from France to north London, he had been with the French club since the age of nine.

Upon his return this summer, he penned a one-year contract with the option of a further year, while declaring this would be the final transfer of his playing career. Following confirmation of his comeback, the club shared a post of him donning the shirt and paid 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."

Both he and his club will now be hoping he can make a swift recovery from his injury and return to action. Laval did go on to defeat Coquelin's former side 2-1 courtesy of a last-minute winner from Mathis Houdayer.

During his time at Arsenal, he made 160 appearances across his spell at the club, claiming two FA Cup winners' medals while in north London.