Arsenal defensive crisis as Gabriel Paulista goes off after Laurent Koscielny sent off one week before Chelsea FA Cup final
Per Mertesacker makes FIRST appearance of the season
ARSENAL are facing an injury crisis in the middle of their defence just a week ahead of the FA Cup final.
Laurent Koscielny was sent off against Everton before Gabriel Paulista went off in tears having picked up a serious-looking leg injury.
Referee Michael Oliver even decided to book Paulista for taking too long to get off the field – despite the defender needing to be carried off on a STRETCHER.
Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker came on to make his first appearance of the season – and his first Premier League appearance since April 30 last year.
Arsene Wenger team will be playing in the Europa League next season as a disappointing campaign drew to a close.
The Gunners were able to beat Everton 3-1 at the Emirates, but both Manchester City and Liverpool also won.
Arsenal needed one of those sides to slip up to finish in the top four.
Wenger’s day started badly when Koscielny was sent off for a reckless tackle after just 14 minutes.
Gunners legend Martin Keown told BBC Sport Koscielny will “regret that for the rest of his career.”
He said: “He will now miss the FA Cup final.
“Wenger’s got other replacements but nobody as good as Koscielny.
“It happens, you can’t do anything about it now. It was stupid but he isn’t that type of player.”
But Wenger’s day would get even worse in the second half.
Gabriel went in for a tackle but then felt the whole of his weight fall on his knee.
The Brazilian was on the floor for some time before a stretcher was needed to carry him off.
Arsenal will now be down two of their centre-backs for their Wembley date with rivals Chelsea.
Shkodran Mustafi missed the clash with Everton because of illness, but he is expected to be fit for next week’s game.
Wenger will continue with Rob Holding – who has impressed since returning to the first-team side – but will have to make a decision on his tactics.
The Gunners have made a successful switch to a back-three in recent weeks, but Wenger may not trust Per Mertesacker to start.
The veteran German, 32, has not played in more than a year.