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Mertesacker's season is over - Wenger

Per Mertesacker was stretchered off against Sunderland © Getty Images

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Per Mertesacker is likely to sit out the rest of the season due to his troublesome ankle injury.

Last month the Arsenal manager admitted the defender, who picked up the injury when trying to control the ball during the Gunners' Premier League encounter against Sunderland on February 11, would be missing for the "long term".

The Germany international, forced to undergo surgery on the ankle problem, now faces a race against time to be fit for the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

"I believe Per will be out for the rest of the season," Wenger told the club's official website. "Basically there are only six weeks to go [this season] so I don't think he'll be sharp enough to come back and play. He would need to train and get back to full fitness.

There was some good news for Arsenal fans, however, with Wenger giving encouraging updates on Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere. Diaby picked up a knock against Liverpool earlier this month on his return from a long-term hamstring problem, but Wenger said he "might play in the reserves next week at Liverpool".

Wilshere, meanwhile, continues to work his way back to full fitness having not played this season due to a foot injury. Arsenal are being "cautious" not to rush the 20-year-old's recovery but Wenger said of the midfielder's latest scan: "Jack's scan was positive. There is no problem, it is normal evolution and he is continuing his progression.

"It's too early to fix a date though; we go day by day with him."

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