Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will target a new defender and striker in the final month of the transfer window as he fears Per Mertesacker could be absent for the rest of the year.

A knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Lens earlier this month has forced Wenger to push forward plans to sign a centre-back, with Shkodran Mustafi widely reported to be on Arsenal’s wishlist.

Wenger also remains keen to acquire a centre forward but has already missed out on Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain, whilst a move for Alvaro Morata seems increasingly unlikely. Alexandre Lacazette looks to be the Gunners fallback option, with Lyon confirming this week that they have rejected a £29.4million bid for the French striker.

The Arsenal manager, who has already spent £35m on Granit Xhaka and added youngsters Rob Holding and Takuma Asano to his squad, has raised his concerns over the “scary” spending taking place in the Premier League this summer. However he remains confident he will be able to bring in cover for Mertesacker at the very least.

Arsenal Key Performers vs MLS All-Stars 7 show all Arsenal Key Performers vs MLS All-Stars 1/7 Gunners win Standard Sport takes a closer look at the key performers for Arsenal... Getty Images 2/7 Granit Xhaka It would be unwise to get carried away after 45 minutes of pedestrian action there were plenty of reasons to believe Arsenal’s £35million signing could be just what the Gunners need.



The Switzerland captain showed a willingness to shoot from outside the box rarely spotted among Arsene Wenger’s charges.



Xhaka’s much-hyped physicality emerged early on, with a cynical foul as the MLS All Stars threatened to break away likely to be as warmly received as any moment in the match by an Arsenal fanbase starved of steel in their midfield. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/7 Jack Wilshere Though he never imposed himself on the first half, there were plenty of flashes from Wilshere as he looks to rebuild his match sharpness.



In particular a 40-yard through ball to release Theo Walcott offered a reminder of the rare vision the midfielder is blessed with.



For now we may only see those moments on rare occasions but, if he can stay fit, there is cause for optimism in Wilshere’s case. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/7 Theo Walcott Took it on himself to heap further pressure on Wenger in his hunt for a striker with a display that suggests little has changed over the summer.



His finishing was poor, he too often drifted away from chances and he did little to link with the other forwards.



When he found the ball whipped away from him after 20 minutes he gazed furiously at his team-mates, who presumably were supposed to warn him of the impending danger, as if a 10-year Arsenal veteran cannot be expected to show spatial awareness. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/7 Chuba Akpom Given just over 20 minutes to make an impact, with the late winner he converted not the only occasion when he looked dangerous around the box.



A hive of energy he kept popping up around the ball as Arsenal built pressure in the closing stages, and should have had an earlier opportunity to score only for Alex Iwobi to strike at goal.



With Olivier Giroud absent Akpom will likely be given further game time against Chivas, a more sustained performance like this and Wenger may well begin pondering his inclusion against Liverpool next month. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/7 Rob Holding Though Didier Drogba managed his inevitable goal against Arsenal, the Ivorian found himself well marshalled by Holding, who stuck close to an opponent who lacked the speed to beat him on the turn.



The same was not true for second-half substitute Sebastian Giovinco, who went close on several occasions, but the summer signing will still feel he impressed Wenger with an assured, proactive display. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/7 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Vibrant and direct on the ball, he dovetailed well with Joel Campbell in the opening moments and drifted across the frontline to prompt attacks.



Perhaps the only concern is that we have seen this before with Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was so impressive this time last year but who never recovered from a disastrous first game of the season against West Ham. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 1/7 Gunners win Standard Sport takes a closer look at the key performers for Arsenal... Getty Images 2/7 Granit Xhaka It would be unwise to get carried away after 45 minutes of pedestrian action there were plenty of reasons to believe Arsenal’s £35million signing could be just what the Gunners need.



The Switzerland captain showed a willingness to shoot from outside the box rarely spotted among Arsene Wenger’s charges.



Xhaka’s much-hyped physicality emerged early on, with a cynical foul as the MLS All Stars threatened to break away likely to be as warmly received as any moment in the match by an Arsenal fanbase starved of steel in their midfield. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 3/7 Jack Wilshere Though he never imposed himself on the first half, there were plenty of flashes from Wilshere as he looks to rebuild his match sharpness.



In particular a 40-yard through ball to release Theo Walcott offered a reminder of the rare vision the midfielder is blessed with.



For now we may only see those moments on rare occasions but, if he can stay fit, there is cause for optimism in Wilshere’s case. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/7 Theo Walcott Took it on himself to heap further pressure on Wenger in his hunt for a striker with a display that suggests little has changed over the summer.



His finishing was poor, he too often drifted away from chances and he did little to link with the other forwards.



When he found the ball whipped away from him after 20 minutes he gazed furiously at his team-mates, who presumably were supposed to warn him of the impending danger, as if a 10-year Arsenal veteran cannot be expected to show spatial awareness. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/7 Chuba Akpom Given just over 20 minutes to make an impact, with the late winner he converted not the only occasion when he looked dangerous around the box.



A hive of energy he kept popping up around the ball as Arsenal built pressure in the closing stages, and should have had an earlier opportunity to score only for Alex Iwobi to strike at goal.



With Olivier Giroud absent Akpom will likely be given further game time against Chivas, a more sustained performance like this and Wenger may well begin pondering his inclusion against Liverpool next month. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/7 Rob Holding Though Didier Drogba managed his inevitable goal against Arsenal, the Ivorian found himself well marshalled by Holding, who stuck close to an opponent who lacked the speed to beat him on the turn.



The same was not true for second-half substitute Sebastian Giovinco, who went close on several occasions, but the summer signing will still feel he impressed Wenger with an assured, proactive display. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 7/7 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Vibrant and direct on the ball, he dovetailed well with Joel Campbell in the opening moments and drifted across the frontline to prompt attacks.



Perhaps the only concern is that we have seen this before with Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was so impressive this time last year but who never recovered from a disastrous first game of the season against West Ham. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“I don’t count that Per will be back before the end of the year and I will miss him deeply, we have lost a heavyweight in our dressing room,” he told a press conference.

“We are still in the market for players, whether it is at the front or the back. Unfortunately we are not alone.

“I can understand the expectation level and anxiety level of our fans because they see other clubs bringing players in.

“Despite all the money clubs have, not too much has happened until now. We know from experience the most active period is in the last week of August and at the moment it is still a big poker game everywhere.

“The best way to conclude transfers is not to talk about it, but we are in the market. Do I think we will sign an experienced central defender before the season starts? Yes, I do.”

Though Arsenal supporters are growing frustrated at the lack of movement in the summer market as their rivals spend heavily Wenger was at pains to remind his critics of his side’s best league finish since 2005 in May.

And Wenger remains confident his side can go one better in the coming campaign.

“We had 18 teams behind us last year, we want to make sure we get 19 behind us next season,” he added.

“Leicester lost three games in the season, it is maybe not a glamorous name but it is not the name that wins you the Championship. You have to respect a team like Leicester.

“It’s always been difficult, look at my hair and my wrinkles. I think I enjoy it because I am a competitor, I like to improve and move forward, it is a great challenge.”