Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that an injury suffered by defender Per Mertesacker during today's FA Cup semi-final against Reading does not look good.

Mertesacker had to be substituted in the 63rd minute at Wembley, being replaced in the heart of the Arsenal defence by Gabriel Paulista.




The Brazilian then played his part as Arsenal beat Reading in extra time to run out 2-1 winners and book a spot in the final, where they will play either Aston Villa or Liverpool.

 


It remains to be seen whether Mertesacker will be involved however, with Wenger feeling the German's injury does not look good.

"He has an ankle problem", the Arsenal boss said via his club's site.

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"He is limping badly so that doesn’t look too good."

Wenger also reflected on Arsenal's performance, which he believes lacked sharpness, refusing to doubt his players' desire to reach the FA Cup final, as they seek to defend the trophy they won last season, beating Hull to end a lengthy trophy drought.

"What was missing was a bit of speed in the combinations in the final third and maybe sharpness.

"The spirit and the concentration was there. We lacked a bit of sharpness to create more clear-cut chances maybe", he added.

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