Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that he needs to sign another defender following Per Mertesacker’s injury, according to Sky Sports.
The Gunners have suffered a massive blow less than three weeks before the start of the new season after the news that the former Germany defender was ruled out for up to five months with an injury sustained in the pre-season draw with Lens.
Their defence was hardly the epitome of strength-in-depth before, so it is now essential that Wenger brings in not just a defender, but one with experience.
The club’s most recent signing, Rob Holding, is just 20, and has no Premier League experience, having played for Bolton in the Championship last season.
Callum Chambers is just 21, but he is the most experienced defender remaining on their pre-season tour, as Laurent Koscielny didn’t travel because he played for France at Euro 2016.
The timing may be far from ideal, but this may be the wake-up call Wenger needed. Mertesacker, at 31, needs a long-term replacement, but as long as he continued to perform at the highest level, it seemed unlikely his manager would bring one in.
That has all changed, quickly and dramatically, and while it may not help their preparations for this season, it will surely push Wenger into thinking about the future and the legacy he leaves for his successor in the next few years.
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