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Arsenal: Per Mertesacker Injury Requires Investment
Arsenal were already in need of investment at center half prior to Per Mertesacker’s injury. Now, it’s an absolutely necessity.
Injuries and Arsenal go hand in hand like a husband and wife. It’s a huge shame, but unfortunately it’s the truth, so much so, that now even usually reliable performers like Per Mertesacker are suffering major issues before the season has already started.
Related Story: Per Mertesacker Injury Has To Push The Issue
In the latest instalment of bad news, Mertesacker is set to be out injured for five months with a knee injury which he picked up in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with RC Lens on Friday night which will definitely see him miss the start out the season, and likely could limit him from first team action til Christmas.
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While Arsenal have a ready-made replacement in Gabriel Paulista – although he may not even be a replacement with the possibility that he was the first choice defender with or without Mertesacker’s injury – Wenger does have options for the opening few games of the season. However, both he and Koscielny are not likely to last the whole season with Arsenal’s notorious luck with injuries.
Moreover, depth is now becoming a major issue. New addition Rob Holding and Calum Chambers will currently provide cover in the big German’s absence, however, both are young and inexperienced and it would not instil much confidence to see either of them in the starting line-up for any extended period of time.
Thereby, Arsenal have an unconvincing starter in Gabriel and two unconvincing reserves, with one certain to start the opening game of the season with Koscielny enjoying extended time off due to his international exertions in this summer’s European Championships. Investment was needed previously, now it as an absolute necessity, and even the reluctant Arsene Wenger must accept that he is going to have to dip into his pocket.
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Who Arsenal now target remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that if Wenger refuses to spend money, backing the talents of Chambers and newly acquired Holding, and such an experiment backfires, then fans will be once again calling for his head, and this time, the guillotine may well fall.