Mertesacker to pull on captain's armband for season opener against Aston Villa



ARSENAL SEASON PREVIEW

How will Wenger strengthen before window closes?

Arsene Wenger has revealed Per Mertseacker will captain Arsenal for their Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa.



Current club captain Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out of the opener with a back problem and fellow centre half Mertesacker will pull on the armband.



Wenger's side go into the clash at the Emirates with a number of injury concerns. As well as Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta has been ruled out with a thigh injury for up to six weeks and Nacho Monreal will also miss the game.



Captain fantastic: Per Mertesacker (right) tries to hold off Alvaro Negredo while playing against Manchester City

Wenger, speaking in his first press conference of the Premier League season, said: 'Vermaelen is out. Monreal is out. Arteta will be out. Monreal will return soon - the others are a bit longer.'

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey had missed training this week, but the Wales midfielder is fit again and available for Saturday's game.

'He missed two training days this week but he's all right.'

Wenger has earmarked Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke as the main threat to his chances of getting off to a winning start this season.

'He [Benteke] has qualities that you cannot lose over the summer,' Wenger added. 'I think he can be more dangerous this season as well.'

International prowess: Mertesacker turned out for Germany earlier this week

Blow: Arsene Wenger (right) has signed just one player so far this summer

Meanwhile, Arsenal have seen another summer transfer target slip through their grasp, after Luiz Gustavo left Bayern Munich for Wolfsburg.



Wenger had been chasing the Brazil midfielder but with the big kick-off just a day away, Arsenal have still only signed one player, French striker Yaya Sanogo.

And Wenger is still looking to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on September 2.



He said: 'I don't disagree that we are a bit light at the moment. We are looking to strengthen our squad.

'We're looking more for quality than for numbers. We would like two or three players, if possible more.

'They plan for the future and they plan long-term.

'It's not a question of spending money, it's a question of buying the right players.'

