Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker will miss the start of the Premier League season with a knee injury.
Manager Arsene Wenger said the former Germany defender will be out for “a few months” after picking up the injury in Friday’s pre-season draw with Lens.
Mertesacker, 31, did not travel with the rest of Arsenal’s squad for their two-match tour of the United States.
Wenger has signed Rob Holding from Bolton but will likely now pair Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel at centre-half.
Mertesacker, who joined the club in 2011, played 24 times for Arsenal in the Premier League last season as they finished runners-up.
