Mertesacker faces lengthy spell on Arsenal sidelines
Arsenal are facing an injury crisis ahead of the new season with Per Mertesacker missing from their US tour and possibly out for five months.
The Gunners confirmed the German has sustained a knee problem, but while they gave no return date, Spanish journalist Kike Marin believes the injury is a serious one and could be ruled out until the start of 2017.
You may have spotted one notable absentee – @mertesacker has a knee problem and won’t be part of #ArsenalUSA pic.twitter.com/GwEWg0T4Dw
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 25, 2016
The injury leaves Arsenal with only two recognised centre-backs – Calum Chambers and new signing Rob Holding – on their pre-season tour, with Laurent Koscielny still recovering from France’s exploits at Euro 2016 and Gabriel suffering from tonsilitis.
Mertesacker recently admitted his concern at Arsenal’s lack of transfer activity this summer, but the Gunners have been linked with a new striker in the form of Toulouse’s Wassim Ben Yedder.
GRAPHIC: Premeir League – Arsenal With and Without Per Mertesacker #AFC pic.twitter.com/XBex4RvOAn
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 26, 2016