Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Per Mertesacker is fine after his suffering what appeared to be a nasty head wound against Chelsea on Sunday.
Mertesacker had to be taken off in the 32nd minute to receive treatment after he collided with Gary Cahill’s elbow. The wound, just above his nose, immediately started pouring with blood, and meant that the centre-back couldn’t play on.
Terrible elbow from Gary Cahill on Per Mertesacker #Arsenal #CFC #CommunityShield #AFCvCFC pic.twitter.com/RtJFMOCwt9
— Tom©️ (@efl_tw) August 6, 2017
Wenger insists that the skipper is fine and explained that it just looked bad because of the amount of blood.
“I will have to speak with medical about that, it doesn’t look that bad,” the boss said post-match, reports Metro.
“The cut on the forehead it’s nothing bad, just was bleeding and open but it’s not bad.”
Sure enough, Mertesacker was suited, booted and stitched up in time for the post-match celebrations, although I imagine he’ll be left with a pretty impressive scar.
It means that the German should be able to play against Leicester in the opening game of the 2017/18 season on Friday, since no one’s mentioned anything about a concussion.
The 32-year-old will be pleased considering this is set to be his final season as a player before he becomes head of the academy, so he’ll presumably want to play as much football as he can.
Sead Kolasinac was subbed on in Mertesacker’s place and ended up being huge for Arsenal since he scored the equaliser – his first goal in red and white – seconds after Chelsea were reduced to 10 men a rash challenge from Pedro on Mohamed Elneny.
The former Schalke left-back was an absolute beast and gave Gooners every reason to be excited ahead of next season.
https://twitter.com/mertesacker/status/894238698954510338
The Gunners beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties after the score remained 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, Nacho Monreal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Olivier Giroud all found the back of the net with their spot-kicks but Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, skied his and £70m newbie, Alvaro Morata, missed.
It was a positive result for the team and an encouraging performance ahead of the new campaign.