Per Mertesacker: Arsenal defender to miss start of Premier League

Arsenal have been linked with Mauro Icardi, Gonzalo Higuain, Alexandre Lacazette and Riyad Mahrez and have been publicly rebuffed by Jamie Vardy but Arsene Wenger remains confident he can improve his squad. “We know as well that a lot happens many times in the last week”.

That means Arsenal travel with just one recognised “senior” centre back in Calum Chambers, while new signing Rob Holding is nearly certain to make his debut against either MLS All-Stars or Chivas.

Per Mertesacker is the latest Arsenal defender to be ruled out of the club’s tour of America and could be set to face five months on the sidelines as a result of a recently sustained knee injury.

If Wenger hadn’t thought about dipping into the market for an experienced top class centre back before Mertesacker’s injury, then Le Prof should certainly think about looking into it now.

The Sun go onto state that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was planning to name the Germany global as his new captain following the departure of Mikel Arteta.

The ESPN FC crew discuss the link of Riyad Mahrez to Arsenal and whether or not it is the right move for the Gunners.

“Obviously Mustafi isn’t the big deal”.

“Last week contacts between Arsenal and the agent of Shkodran Mustafi, German defender”, Giulianelli wrote on Twitter. “Club want to get forward sorted first”.

Mustafi is 24 years old, and has made twelve appearances for the national team.

In addition to Mertesacker – who will be out for long, another defender in Gabriel Paulista was also left back home out from the squad after he was diagnosed with tonsillitis.