Per Mertesacker facing Arsenal axe

Former German international Per Mertesacker could head out of Arsenal in the summer, with manager Arsene Wenger weighing up a move for another defender to replace him.

Mertesacker has failed to replicate his form of last season, and has looked vulnerable at the back during the latter stages of games.

According to The Telegraph, Wenger is considering a move for a new defender who could fight it out with Gabriel Paulista for the central defensive partnership with Laurent Koscielny.

Mertesacker is in line to face Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final, with Gabriel sidelined with a hamstring injury.