Arsene Wenger To Sign Experienced Defender After Mertesacker Ruled Out ForMonths

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker will be out for months after manager Arsene Wenger confirmed that the German is suffering from a knee problem that he picked up in their pre- season game against Lens. The defender did not travel with the Arsenal squad for the US tour and is likely to miss a major part of the campaign, putting the manager in a dilemma in terms of options at the back Gabriel is suffering from tonsillitis and is another player who has dropped out of the tour along with Laurent Koscielny, who is on an extended holidayfollowing his participation in the Euros. Calum Chambers and Rob Holding are expected to marshal the defence at the back in the absence of the experienced trio when the Gunners take on the MLS All Stars at San Jose on Thursday, 28 July.