Arsenal in injury crisis ahead of EPL opener

English football club Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger faces an injury crisis as four players including defenders Gabriel, Per Mertesacker, midfielder Jack Wilshere and forward Danny Welbeck were ruled out of their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday.

Wenger officially confirmed the unavailability of the four players on Wednesday.

Defender Gabriel was injured in a pre-season match against Manchester City last Sunday and is now set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines for six to eight weeks.

Gabriel collided with City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in injury time of Arsenal's 3-2 win in Gothenburg, Sweden, injuring his left ankle in the process.

"Gabriel has an ankle problem and will be out for six to eight weeks. It is a bit better than we feared at the start," Wenger said confirming Gabriel's injury on Wednesday.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere had another injury pre-season and isn't quite ready to be back in action but Wenger believed he will be back soon on the field.

"Jack is doing well, but he will be short for Sunday. He is back in training but will not be completely ready for Sunday."

"We had very good news on Danny's latest scan and Per is at the moment off his feet for three weeks, so of course it is a bit boring for him. We think it will be four to five months for both players," Wenger added.

Mertesacker suffered a knee injury against the French club Lens in pre-season while forward Danny Welbeck was initially ruled out for nine months following a knee surgery.

--IANS

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