Mertesacker's Arsenal season could be over

Germany defender Per Mertesacker could be forced onto the sidelines for the remainder of the season, as the former Werder Bremen defender sustained an ankle injury against Sunderland last weekend.

Mertesacker fell to the floor awkwardly in the 74th minute at the Stadium of Light, allowing midfielder James McLean to score the opening goal of the game.


Arsene Wenger confirmed that Mertesacker had returned to his homeland so that specialist's can look at his foot:  "He had a reconstruction of his ankle in Germany before he joined us and the scan didn't look to positive yesterday [Monday].


"He went back to Germany to consult the specialist to see where we go from there and he is supposed to contact me this afternoon to tell me exactly what the specialist told him. Certainly in the next month he will not be with us."