Per Mertesacker Is Out For Five Months, Wenger Plans Shkodran Mustafi Signing

Many Arsenal fans are of the opinion that Arsenal could do with signing a reliable centre back apart from a striker and a wing forward. It is widely accepted that Laurent Koscielny could do with a world class partner beside him. However realistically, I doubt Wenger will spend any more money on a centre back after the signing of Rob Holding from Bolton.

And to be honest, I personally won't mind if we do not sign another centre back and instead sign a striker and a wing forward. Unfortunately, if news on the social media tonight is anything to go by, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may have to go back to the market for a centre back as reports claim Per Mertesacker is out injured for the next five months.

This report, if true, means the German probably won't get to kick a ball for Arsenal again this year. This news was confirmed via twitter by El Confidencial journalist Kike Marin. The tweet by Kike Marin was tweeted from his official account @Kike_Marin_

@arsenal Mertesacker has a knee injury. He COULD BE 5 months out. Bad luck! #afc pic.twitter.com/wTQK0rhukP

— Kike Marin** (@Kike_Marin_) July 25, 2016

This will certainly be a massive blow to Arsenal, especially as Gabriel Paulista doesn't seem like he will ever cut the mustard in the Premier League. With all due respect, Rob Holding is just a rookie and although, having talked to couple of Bolton fans, it sounds like he's a player who will come good in the future, it will simply be too risky to rely on him for a whole season right away. In my opinion, Rob Holding is one for the future and not one for the moment.

Personally, I would rather both Chambers and Rob Holding go on loan to Premier League clubs and an experienced centre back such as Shkodran Mustafi of Valencia or Kostas Manolas of AS Roma is signed. We simply can't leave next season to chance and, as the last few seasons have shown, our defence could be better than what it is at the moment.

With Mertesacker clocking 32 in September, he won't be around for much longer. Hence, by bringing in someone like Mustafi or Manolas, we would have replaced him even before he leaves in the same way that Chelsea seem to be doing with John Terry.

Reports are alreadying linked Arsenal to the signing of Shkodran Mustafi which could be an indication that Wenger sees the need for another centre back.