‘It was a deep cut… but I feel quite well now’

Per Mertesacker says he is “quite well” despite the deep cut he received after a clash with Gary Cahill in the Community Shield.

The Arsenal captain had to be taken off after the incident in the 32nd minute at Wembley, but says he was soon okay after some treatment.

“I’m pretty well for that hit and for the deep cut I suffered, I feel quite well,” Mertesacker told Arsenal Player. “The result I think gives me a lift right now.

“I can remember everything [about the clash], so I think there’s no concussion or something, it was just a very, very deep cut and the doctors already said on the pitch they didn’t want to take any risk, so took me off as a precaution and I got some nice stitches.

“I’m not quite sure yet [about whether I will be fit to face Leicester]. We need to take care of this - you know how the swelling goes and if it turns into a black eye or something. It’s too early to say because health is the first thing.”

Cahill went into the Arsenal changing room after the game to apologise to Mertesacker, and the German defender hailed the Chelsea’s defender’s gesture.

“It’s great sportsmanship from him,” he said. “He is as well a champion, a decent fella, so I thanked him again for coming and taking care of that, it’s an accident, but it was a nice touch.”