Arsenal’s experinced manager Arsene Wenger is facing a selection crisis going into the opening game of the 2016-17 Premier League season which kicks off next weekend.
The Gunners will be without their talisman Mesut Ozil who will miss the game after being given an extended break by the French tactician.
Ozil, along with Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny were given extended breaks after competing at in France at Euro 2016 earlier this summer.The situation has have been made worse following a long-term injury to the former Germany international Per Mertesacker.
Gabriel is also a major doubt for the weekend clash after he was stretchered off during a pre-season game. The Brazilian defender was taken off with a leg injury during Arsenal’s friendly victory over Manchester City on Sunday. Calum Chambers and new signing Rob Holding are currently Arsenal’s only fit senior centre-backs according to the Mirror.
“He’s in pain,” Arsene Wegner was quoted as saying by the Mirror.
“Let’s hope that the pain is not a sign of bad news.”
On a positive note, both Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech have passed fitness tests and are available for selection.