Wenger Reveals Star To Undergo Medical Test Plus Other News

Arsene Wenger’s comments regarding transfers during his press conference earlier today sounded a bit desperate. The Frenchman said Arsenal can find last minute solution and that the club are working day and night to sign a player before the transfer window.

His inactivity during this window has made Arsenal fans grow frustrated, and they were handed another heart-breaking news when the former Monaco gaffer confirmed the club captain Per Mertesacker will miss the game against Newcastle United this weekend, and also express uncertainty over Laurent Koscielny’s availability.

It is fair to say although Arsenal got a clean sheet against Liverpool at the Emirates last Monday, the north London club were shaky at the back in the absence of their two best defenders – Mertesacker and Koscielny. Wenger revealed that his captain is still ill, while his centre back partner is having a test which will reveal whether he has recovered to play against NUFC or miss the game.

“Mertesacker is still sick and Koscielny and we will know more about Koscielny today,”Wenger spoke to the media during his press conference on Thursday.

“He might have a test on his back today and I will certainly know more tomorrow morning. The less likely to be fit is Mertesacker.

“I would like them to be available but that is part of the season, you can’t complain about that.”

With Arsenal picking up only four points in their first three games of the Premier League season, it is not an ideal thing to lose two experienced defence marshals who have formed a formidable partnership over the years.

The absence of the German and French centre-backs almost cost Arsenal against the Reds, with Phillipe Coutinho running the show against Calum Chambers and Gabriel Paulista, who played in their absence. The Liverpool number 10 hit the bar on two occasions and save for the saves made by Petr Cech, Brendan Rodgers’ side would have clinched all three points. The former Chelsea goalkeeper also made a close range save from Christian Benteke as the Belgian beat Chambers and Gabriel in the box.

The abysmal display of Chambers especially is a concern, and Wenger may bring in Nacho Monreal in the former Southampton defender’s place, making Kierran Gibbs play at left-back. Newcastle is not an easy place to play and new boy Aleksandar Mitrovic – who gave Manchester United a tough time last weekend – has shown in all the three games for the Magpies this season that he will give anyone who plays at the heart of the Arsenal defence a run for their money.

Maybe Wenger has not realised what signing a top defender would cost in subsequent games, but some of the fans have know and have agitated for one or two centre-backs. Failure to do so would hurt the Gunners, it would do so in many ways as Cech would not be expected to be as brilliant as he was on Monday night. Arsenal may miss out on the title which has eluded them for a decade. They could be knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League, and Wenger may be unable to retain the FA Cup this season…if no top defender is brought in.

Apart from the defence, the team also needs strengthening in the centre forward area. A striker is needed urgently after Karim Benzema snubbed them to remain at Real Madrid. Now it is up to Wenger to do the needful before September 2.