Pulling up with a muscle issue shortly after half-time on Saturday, it looks like Per Mertesacker’s season could be over.

The defender has been reinstated recently in the place of Gabriel but it looks like he will lose his place and almost certainly won’t feature against Manchester City next Monday.

Mertesacker’s return to the side has coincided with three consecutive clean sheets – maybe by chance, but he’s clearly still worth far more than many Arsenal fans seem willing to accept.

After an ok first half, Mertesacker pulled up shortly after the break clutching his hamstring. Arsenal went on to win the game 1-0 with Gabriel making a strong intervention with little time left on the clock but eyes will now turn to the German defender to see how serious the injury is.

After suffering pull, it looks like his season is over. That means Gabriel is likely to face Sergio Agüero-led Manchester City a week from now, assuming the Argentina plays after a tough Champions League semi-final.

The injury should also see Calum Chambers come back into the squad. The English defender hasn’t had many opportunities of late but seems a natural successor to Mertesacker: will he finally be given an opportunity in the two games before the season is over?

Arsenal had managed to last a week with every single first team member in full training but, with our injury record, it was never likely to last.

Hopefully Per is available again sooner than expected. If not, at least he’ll be well rested ahead of pre-season.