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, didn't appear to hinder his performance . Arsene Wenger even admitted Coquelin underwent a minor surgical procedure following the incident, but that didn'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 .