Per Mertesacker faces long injury lay-off

The 31-year-old suffered the injury in Friday's pre-season draw against Lens and did not travel with the rest of Arsenal's squad for their two-match tour of the United States.

The German World Cup winner, who lost his place in the Gunners' side towards the end of last season, will now miss the start of the new campaign as Wenger revealed the news at a press conference in the US on Tuesday.

Source : PA

Source: PA