Arsene Wenger plans to face Leicester with these defenders

WENGER'S WOES: The Arsenal boss is lacking healthy defenders

The Arsenal boss is still pursuing his No. 1 transfer target, Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi, but the two sides are still miles apart over the fee.

A source close to the deal insisted yesterday the Gunners have yet to table a bid “anywhere near” Valencia’s valuation.

The Germany defender has a £42m release clause in his contract but it’s understood that his club could be willing to accept as little as £28m.

Mustafi is keen on a move but even if a deal were done this week it is highly unlikely he’d be ready to face Leicester on Saturday.

Wenger is also reluctant to throw Laurent Koscielny back into the starting line-up after his late return from Euro 2016 in case he gets injured.

The Arsenal boss did that with Aaron Ramsey against Liverpool and the Wales star ended up suffering a hamstring injury.

That means Wenger is likely to start with 21-year-olds Rob Holding and Calum Chambers at centre back against the champions.

He insisted the pair were not to blame for the goals Arsenal conceded in Sunday’s 4-3 home loss to Liverpool.

And he is ready to risk a similar outcome against Jamie Vardy and co, who will be fired up after losing their opener to Hull.

Wenger has few options with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel both injured but is already being criticised by fans.

One angry Arsenal supporter held up a “Where’s our money” banner on Sunday, while others booed the team off.

Wenger is also still in the market for Lyon striker Alex Lacazette, but Arsenal are unwilling to pay £40m for him.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech has also leapt to the defence of Chambers and debutant Holding in the wake of Sunday’s game.

He said: “I thought they did really well. When you concede four goals then obviously you cannot be happy as a team because you should not concede four goals at home, but I thought it was a really good experience for them.”