Arsenal are unsure whether Per Mertesacker will be passed fit for Friday evening’s game against Leicester City.
The Gunners skipper went off during the Community Shield match against Chelsea at Wembley with a bloodied forehead and required stitches.
The injury happened when Mertesacker was caught by Gary Cahill’s arm in an aerial challenge with the Chelsea captain.
His condition is being assessed this week and the German told Arsenal Player he does not know whether he will be available for his team’s opening Premier League match.
“I’m pretty well for that hit and for the deep cut I suffered, I feel quite well,” Mertesacker said.
“I can remember everything, 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 (whether he will be fit for the Leicester game). 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 dressing room after the game to apologise to Mertesacker.
“It’s great sportsmanship from him,” Mertesacker 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.”