In his press conference previewing Friday’s Premier League opener with Leicester City, Arsene Wenger has revealed Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Per Mertesacker could miss out.
He arrived early to his press conference and wasted no time revealing the trio could be short for the Leicester game.
Wenger says there are still uncertainties around Ozil, Ramsey and Mertesacker as well.
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) August 9, 2017
Mesut Ozil was always a doubt to face Leicester City after picking up an ankle injury and Wenger has now confirmed the German international is likely to sit out Friday’s match. He said days previously that Ozil’s ankle had swollen up which had stopped him being able to play football and practice.
Aaron Ramsey had been suffering from a calf injury and was a doubt against the Foxes. The Welsh international hasn’t responded well enough this week to be considered for selection, giving him time to recovery for the meeting with Stoke City on August 19.
Per Mertesacker suffered a serious facial injury in Arsenal’s Community Shield win and was always going to be a risk for the Premier League opener. He cut open his head after being elbowed by Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and was stitched up to stop the bleeding. He risks opening up the wound if he plays.
Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi were given starts in the Community Shield and stand a good chance of retaining their place in the side with no Alexis Sanchez or Ozil to play behind the lone striker. Mertesacker’s absence could be more harmful as Laurent Koscielny is already suspended for the Leicester game.
Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac could feature together, with one at left centre-back and the other at left wing-back.