Arsenal’s star centre back Per Mertesacker has been ruled out of first team football for up to five months with a knee injury according to The Sun.
The Germany international suffered a knee injury during last week’s friendly against Lens band has been left out of the Gunners’ squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Mertesacker has been struggling with injuries of late after missing the end of last season with a knee injury. The Sun go onto state that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was planning to name the Germany international as his new captain following the departure of Mikel Arteta.
The 31-year-old joins Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel on the sidelines leaving Calum Chambers as Arsenal’s only fit senior central defender. Gabriel has been ruled out with tonsillitis while Koscielny has been given extended leave after reaching the Euro 2016 final with France.
Arsenal take on Liverpool for the opening game of the season on August 14.
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