Arsene Wenger - Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscienly likely to miss Newcastle draw

 Arsene Wenger has confirmed defensive lynchpins Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are major doubts for the visit to Newcastle.

 

The duo missed Monday's draw against Liverpool, Mertesacker through illness and Koscielny with a back injury. 

Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that the pair were set to miss the trip to St James' Park, and Wenger - who also revealed the club are not close to signing any new players - said: 'Mertesacker is still sick and Koscielny will have a test and I'll know more after that.

'At the moment it seems Koscielny is most likely (to play).'

Meanwhile, Wenger says Danny Welbeck is progressing well from a knee injury and should be available after the international break.

Jack Wilshere is due to return to full training after the international break following a fractured fibula.

Wenger also revealed that Arsenal are 'not close to signing anyone' despite being linked with a number of big names including Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in recent weeks.