Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker could be out for up to five months

Arsene Wenger’s plans for the new season have been thrown into chaos with Per Mertesacker facing up to five months out injured.

The Arsenal boss has stepped up his hunt for defensive reinforcements now the experienced German is set for a long lay off with a serious knee ligament injury.

It came as the latest blow in a frustrating summer that has seen the club lose out in the transfer market in bids for Jamie Vardy and Alvaro Morata, as well as being turned down yesterday in a £29.3m move for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.