Per Mertesacker is a doubt for Arsenal’s game against Chelsea next weekend.
The German defender was substituted in the second half of the FA Cup game against Reading and speaking after the game, Arsene Wenger admitted that the player is struggling.
“It’s an ankle injury,” Wenger said. “He limped badly so it doesn’t look too good really.
“The records show you are consistent. Let’s hope we have all of our players fit for the final in a few weeks.”
Despite picking up a yellow card, Gabriel performed well after replacing the vice-captain and could even have scored a brace, the Reading keeper denying him with a great shot while wayaward finishing denied him his first Arsenal goal when presented with a free header at a corner.
Although Per will be missed, Gabriel is more than an adequate replacement and could possibly even be a better option should Diego Costa make the game. Although ruled out for four weeks he has, by recent reports, already returned to training proving Jose Mourinho a liar once again.