Arsenal’s early defensive crisis could pave the way to a move for Valencia and Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi after it emerged that per Mertesacker will not play again this year.

Mertesacker – the recently-appointed Arsenal captain following Mikel Arteta’s departure – suffered a knee injury that required surgery to correct, with the operation being carried out on Tuesday in Germany. With Laurent Koscielny still on holiday following Euro 2016 and Gabriel Paulista left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour due to tonsillitis, the Gunners are desperately short on options at the back.

21-year-old Calum Chambers could partner new signing Rob Holding when Arsenal take on the MLS All-Stars on Thursday night, although Wenger did experiment in training with defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin deployed at centre-back and both Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal able to move inside from their natural full-back roles.

However, reports in Spain suggest that a move for Mustafi is on the cards after Valencia put the German international up for sale for £20.9m, and Wenger’s admission on Wednesday that the club are in for an experienced defender suggest he will make further moves in the transfer market to strengthen his back line.

"We have to look for an option to get a bit more experience," Wenger told www.arsenal.com on Wednesday.

"We will see some of our young centre backs on Thursday as well. With Per being out, we are a bit short on the experience front and we are looking to bring somebody in."

Loading....

Spanish newspaper Cadena Cope claim that Valencia are willing to part with Mustafi – who is also due back from holiday in the next few days after representing Germany at Euro 2016. Mustafi has spent the last two years with Valencia after leaving Sampdoria in Italy, and spent three years with Everton after joining their academy from Hamburg back in 2009, with the 24-year-old making 12 appearances for Germany to-date.

Arsenal could face further frustration though in their pursuit of a new striker after Lyon decided to go public with their rejection of a €35m offer from the Premier League side for striker Alexandre Lacazette. Lyon made the unusual decision to reveal Arsenal’s offer in a bid to play down suggestions that the fee was closer to the £40m mark, leaving the English club to face further scrutiny from the club’s fans who believe they are falling short of their rivals in the transfer market. The move is made all the more embarrassing given that West Ham had already seen a £32m offer turned down by the French side.

Arsenal - transfer ins and outs Show all 9 1 /9 Arsenal - transfer ins and outs Arsenal - transfer ins and outs IN: Shkodran Mustafi Former Club: Valencia. Fee: £30m. Brought in after Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista suffered injuries. A World Cup winner with Germany in 2014. Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images Arsenal - transfer ins and outs IN: Lucas Perez Former Club: Deportivo La Coruna Fee: £17m. 27-year-old Perez arrives to provide competition for Olivier Giroud in an effort to add goals for Arsenal, though the jury remains out over his ability to lead a Premier League title challenge. Getty Arsenal - transfer ins and outs IN: Rob Holding Former Club: Bolton Wanderers Fee: £2.5m. A bargain given he has impressed in his early appearances after being thrown in at the deep end. Unlikely to feature as much after the signing of Mustafi, but looks a good signing for the future. PA Arsenal - transfer ins and outs IN: Granit Xhaka Former Club: Borussia Monchengladbach. Fee: £35m. Arsenal's first major signing of the summer is also one of the biggest in history with Swiss midfielder Xhaka adding steal to their midfield. Getty Arsenal - transfer ins and outs IN: Takuma Asana Former Club: Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Fee: Undisclosed. Gunners supporters were outraged when, amid rumours of signing Jamie Vardy from Leicester, they instead signed unknown striker Asana from Japan. Getty Arsenal - transfer ins and outs OUT: Mikel Arteta New club: Retired. Fee: None. Now at coach at Manchester City, the Spaniard hopes to learn the craft of management from pep Guardiola. Getty Arsenal - transfer ins and outs OUT: Tomas Rosicky None: Released. Fee: None. A loyal servant to the Gunners, Rosicky is still looking for a new club after being let go this summer. Arsenal - transfer ins and outs OUT: Mathieu Flamini New club: None. Fee: Released. Eyebrows were raised when the Frenchman returned to the Emirates but Wenger could always rely on his talents. Getty Arsenal - transfer ins and outs OUT: Wellington Silva New club: Fluminense. Fee: Undisclosed. The young Brazilian never really forced his way into Wenger's thinking before a return to Fluminense. Getty

However, The Mirror claim that Lyon are expected to sell the prolific goalscorer should Arsenal lodge a bid in excess of £40m, though it remains to be seen just how much more they will need to offer in order to open talks with the France international. 25-year-old Lacazette finished runner-up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic ni the 2015/16 Ligue 1 goalscorer charts, having led the way the season before.

Finally, Arsenal’s pursuit of Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi appears to be over after the Italian club’s president insisted “we’re not going to sell Icardi”. Arsenal held preliminary talks with Icardi’s agent and wife, Wanda Nara, after being identified as a possible alternative when it emerged that Napoli were not going to budge over their £75m asking price for Gonzalo Higuain.

Summer 2016 Transfer Window - Done deals and rumours

With Higuain subsequently joining Juventus after his release clause was activated, Napoli have turned their attentions to Icardi, but Inter president Erick Thohir insists the 23-year-old club captain is going nowhere.

"We're not going to sell Icardi. We've received offers - from Napoli too - but we're not going to sell him,” Thohir told Inter Channel.

"We extended his contract a year ago. We're like a family and we can always talk if there are problems or discuss what we'd like to achieve together in future.