Arsène Wenger will hand Ignasi Miquel the chance to break into Arsenal’s first-team following confirmation of Johan Djourou’s shoulder injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Miquel has started just twice for Arsenal, playing both games against Leyton Orient in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Spaniard turned in impressive shifts in both games, and with Djourou joining Thomas Vermaelen on the injury list, he is set for a greater role in the title run in.

Wenger does have the option to recall loanee Kyle Bartley from Rangers, subject to the Scottish outfit agreeing to terminate the deal and Arsenal paying compensation. However, this is seen as an unlikely option.

That leaves French duo Laurent Koscielny and Sébastien Squillaci for the short-term, with Ignasi set to train full time with the first-team ahead of potentially securing a place for next season.

The 19-year-old has previously admitted he expected to leave on loan.





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