Arsenal may be forced to use World Cup star Per Mertesacker for Champions League qualifier

WORLD CUP winner Per Mertesacker may have to rush back for Arsenal in the Champions League tomorrow.

NO REST FOR THE WICKED: Mertesacker may have to return to first team action sooner than he though

Boss Arsene Wenger has a potential defensive crisis for the qualifying trip to Besiktas in Turkey.

Left-back Kieran Gibbs is out with a hamstring problem and centrehalf Laurent Koscielny is a doubt due to a slight hamstring strain.

And with Thomas Vermaelen sold to Barcelona, Wenger will have to pair German Mertesacker - who has not played since the defeat of Argentina over five weeks ago - in central defence with converted fullback Calum Chambers if Koscielny does not make it.

"It's a bit early for Mertesacker - ideally he would need one more week preparation," said Wenger. "He's willing to play, no problem.

"We are desperate to go through, no matter what it costs."