Arsenal’s injury crisis took center stage when they host north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, with eight first-team players sidelined from the derby.
Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Hector Bellerin, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, and David Ospina all missed the Emirates encounter, as the home side labored for a 1-1 draw.
It was down to this fact that the Gunners struggled agaist Spurs, claims vice-captain Per Mertesacker, as Wenger’s crew needed a 77th minute equalizer to rescue them a point.
“Over a short period you can replace a couple of players but with two games a week, and the intensity that will not lessen, you need a lot of players who can replace each other and come and give energy," said Mertesacker.
“That is important - it is how we beat Bayern Munich, Theo played for 75 minutes and then Olivier Giroud came on and gave us a different style and had a massive impact on the game, we need game-changers.”
Arsenal struggled in Sunday's 1-1 north London derby draw
The German center-back is not too concerned, however, as he remains confident that the Gunners can
“That is what, with injuries, we suffer a bit by I’m convinced that after the international break we will have more options and therefore more confidence.”
The Gunners will travel to West Brom in Matchday 13 once play resumes in the English Premier League.
