It’s all going Per-shaped for Gunners
ARSENE WENGER is ready to risk Arsenal’s FA Cup dream by handing Per Mertesacker a shock recall against Chelsea.
With Laurent Koscielny suspended and Shkodran Mustafi yet to train after illness, Wenger has defensive concerns ahead of Saturday’s final at Wembley.
Gabriel has also been ruled out for up to eight weeks with a kneeligament injury while Kieran Gibbs is not yet back in training after a thigh problem.
Wenger is toying with a switch to four at the back but if Mustafi does not make it he is likely to start with Mertesacker in a back three.
That would be a huge gamble because the 32-year-old has not started a game for more than a year, despite his status as club captain, and last played 90 minutes in April 2016, in a 0-0 draw with Sunderland.
But Wenger may have no choice. He said: “Will I start with Per? I don’t know, because he has not played 90 minutes for a long time. I have not made up my mind.
“He has the leadership qualities, so it depends a little bit on the system I go for.”
Mertesacker made his first appearance of the season off the bench in Sunday’s win over Everton and Wenger admitted losing Gabriel to injury and Koscielny to suspension was a hammer blow ahead of the final.
“It just shows you how unpredictable football can be, because we lost two centre-backs. It’s unbelievable. We have been hit hard in a position where we will need to be strong on Saturday. We’ll have to find solutions and, hopefully, I will.”
Wenger insists he has not made up his mind on whether to start with Petr Cech or David Ospina in goal.
Ospina played in the earlier cup rounds but the smart money is on Cech after he started in the semi-final win over Manchester City.
Wenger, who will have Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain available after injury scares, insists his future remains up in the air.
Asked whether this could be his last game at Arsenal, he said: “It’s not about me, it’s about us winning the trophy and giving everything.” NEWCASTLE have signed winger Christian Atsu from Chelsea for £6million.
Atsu, who played 32 times for the Magpies on loan last season, has penned a four-year contract.
The transfer is subject to the Ghanaian successfully reapplying for a work permit. Manager Rafa Benitez said: “He’s a good professional and keen to learn and improve.”