Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny doubtful for Arsenal’s Newcastle trip

Arsenal have fitness concerns over their first-choice centre-back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny for their trip to Newcastle on Saturday lunchtime. The German has been unwell, and the Frenchman has a back problem, and both remain doubtful. In their absence against Liverpool last Monday night, a new partnership of Gabriel Paulista and Calum Chambers at times looked extremely vulnerable. “Mertesacker is still sick and Koscielny will have a test on his back,” Wenger said. “The less likely to be fit is Mertesacker.”

On the injury front, Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere are on course to be back in contention soon. “Danny Welbeck is progressing well. He should be available, if all goes well, after the international break. Jack Wilshere is just behind Welbeck, maybe one week after the international break he will certainly come back into full training.”

Arsenal have four points out of a possible nine so far and the squad are far from firing on enough cylinders, but Wenger admitted the club are “not close” to concluding any signings. He remains, however, quietly hopeful that something inviting will present itself just in time, before the transfer window closes next Tuesday. “I am always confident that a last-minute situation or solution is available. The transfer market is always moving in the last five days,’ he said.

“We work very hard. Have a team that works day and night to find good solutions. At the moment we are not close. I am involved of course in the decision, I am available 24 hours a day.