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LONDON. — Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are equipped to beat Liverpool in their opening English Premier League soccer match of the season, despite not having a senior centre-back available for selection. The Gunners kick off their campaign at home tomorrow without the injured duo of Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, while Laurent Koscielny is set to be rested following his international exploits for France at Euro 2016.Wenger is expected to name an inexperienced partnership of Calum Chambers (21) and new signing Rob Holding (20) at centre-half.
However, the 66-year-old Frenchman has backed his youngsters to impress against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“I have a few options at the back that you have seen in pre-season,” Wenger said. “It’s basically the players we have available, that are quite young. But they want to do well.“Rob (Holding) has played in the Championship. That’s a good experience for a centre-back, to deal with one level higher.”
Wegner has confirmed that defender Gabriel will not need surgery on his ankle injury, but will miss up to two months of the season, as he remained coy on a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi. “Per Mertesacker is out for four months and Gabriel six to eight weeks,” said Wenger.
“It’s a bit better than expected because he doesn’t need surgery. He ruptured his ankle ligament. At the start we thought it could be four months.”
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Germany defender Mustafi, but in his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash at the Emirates, Wenger remained tight-lipped over a move for the German. — Sky Sports
Online Reporter