Wenger confirms Mertesacker out 'a few months' with knee injury

Arsene Wenger added credence to reports regarding Per Mertesacker's knee injury, with the Arsenal manager confirming the big German defender will miss "a few months."

Though Wenger did not specify how long the Gunners will be without one of their primary central defenders, reports emerged Tuesday suggesting Mertesacker faces up to five months on the sidelines.

The most likely replacement to join Laurent Koscielny at the back is Gabriel Paulista, who joined Arsenal in January 2015 from Villarreal and appeared in 21 matches last season.

The injury could afford young defender Calum Chambers a chance to impress Wenger and prove he's worthy of a place in the first team after spending much of the 2015-16 term on the bench. The north London side also has Rob Holding available after the 21-year-old's arrival from Bolton.

Both players could get a chance to audition for the role Thursday when Arsenal takes on Major League Soccer's All-Stars.

Mertesacker's loss may also force Wenger to scour the transfer market for an experienced replacement to fill the void until at least October.