Arsene Wenger has deployed Francis Coquelin as a centre-back in training as he battles with a defensive injury crisis.
With Arsenal fearing that Per Mertesacker could miss up to five months with a knee injury and Gabriel having been left in the UK to recover from a bout of tonsillitis Wenger has been left with only Calum Chambers and Rob Holding as recognised centre-backs for pre-season fixtures with the MLS All Stars and Chivas.
That has forced Wenger to turn to Coquelin, who has played as a defensive midfielder since establishing himself in the squad at the start of 2015.
Coquelin’s deployment as a centre-back is likely to be just one of several short-term options Wenger considers, with full-backs Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal among those who could be asked to fill in having done so in the past.
Arsenal had been open to signing a centre-back throughout the transfer window but the serious injury suffered by Mertesacker, who underwent surgery on his knee on Tuesday, has seen them bring their plans forward, with Wenger confirming he is targeting an experienced replacement.
“We have to look for an option to get a bit more experience. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in.”
“[Per] played in Lens on Friday night, he finished the game and had a little pain on his knee.
“We found out the next day that it was much more serious than expected. He had surgery in Germany and it went well.”
