Centre-backs Per Mertesacker (knee) and Gabriel (ankle) are both unavailable for the clash while Laurent Koscielny did not play a single pre-season friendly after being granted extended leave following the European Championships.
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The England global, who sees himself as a winger but has spoken of his desire to play a more central role, has been tried in both positions by Wenger.
Despite starting the summer transfer window with a bang by signing Granit Xhaka, you could argue that this shouldn’t have been the area Wenger should have prioritised. “But they want to do well”.
“Gabriel has an ankle problem, and will be out for six to eight weeks”, Wenger told the club’s official website.
However, as evident from the panic which has spread now, it would take some time before Holding soothes the nerves of Arsenal faithful with his performances.
It’s a very exciting season and it promises to be a very different one as well because there are so many ambitions out there.
Arsene Wenger will have two ball playing centre backs in the side, who will not be afraid of moving forward with the team and Wenger will have to ensure they remain disciplined in staying in position.
Wenger is targeting a move to sign Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi this summer, but the Germany global won’t be available for Sunday.
Sky sources believe the 24-year-old defender has already agreed to join the Gunners but Wenger admits the deal is unlikely to be completed in time for Sunday’s match at the Emirates. “If Gabriel is out, Per Mertesacker is out and Koscielny not ready – that’s a lot of players”.
“We know that in England transfer is very high because of the influx of money”, he said.
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“If you go to Spain or Italy and you’re an English club – straight away the inflation comes in”. Current leading striker Olivier Giroud is set to miss the start of the Premier League season due to his participation at Euro 2016 for France.
