Mertesacker missing for Arsenal

Arsenal will be without German centre-half Per Mertesacker for tomorrow’s Champions League last 16 first-leg clash at AC Milan because of the ankle injury he sustained in the Barclays Premier League victory at Sunderland.

Kieran Gibbs is fit again following a groin problem, and so could slot in at left-back allowing Thomas Vermaelen to move across into his favoured role alongside Laurent Koscielny, while Swiss international Johan Djourou is another option.