Per and Gabriel out...

So, the squad has headed out to the US for a couple of games. However a number of key players haven't travelled.

Five were predictable, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny all still off after their international duties.

However, as if to highlight a damning weakness in the squad, both Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista also stay at home. Per is struggling with a knee injury, while Gabriel has tonsillitis.

While Gabriel should be fit for the opening game of the season, rumours already have Mertesacker missing half the season.

We are left with Calum Chambers as our senior central defender. Both Nacho Monreal and Mathieu Debuchy have played at CB, while new signing Rob Holding is also available. Youngster Krystian Bielik has spent the last year playing CB, and he could see this as a chance to impress.

At the other end, only Chuba Akpom is a natural striker. Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell can also fill in.


Full Squad :

Petr Cech, David Ospina, Damian Martinez
Hector Bellerin, Mathieu Debuchy, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Nacho Monreal, Kieran Gibbs, Krystian Bielik
Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Jack Wilshere, Granit Xhaka, Santi Cazorla, Gedion Zelalem, Alex Iwobi
Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Chris Willock, Joel Campbell
Chuba Akpom