Arsene Wenger confirms Gabriel Paulista ligament damage

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Gabriel Paulista suffered ligament damage during his side's final pre-season friendly this evening.

The Brazilian was stretchered off during the closing stages of his side's 3-2 victory over Manchester City in Gothenburg having caught his studs in the turf.

Wenger was unable to put an exact timeframe on the centre-back's return, but confirmed that he will miss the season opener against Liverpool on Sunday.

"We have not even made a diagnosis in the medical room with our doctors or physios yet. I can't tell you more. He's in pain. Let's hope the pain is not a sign of bad news. The only thing we have to know now is how big the damage is with his ligament," he told the club's official website.

"I've never seen an intelligent accident, they always look stupid. We have to take that. He played the ball 100% and I think he rolled his ankle, but I don't know how it happened. It's part of our game. Yes, [he will miss the start of the season]. We are very short [in defence].

"Maybe he was a bit tired, I don't know. Was his coordination a bit weaker, I don't know. Was he locked in the grass with his studs... I have to speak to him. He's just come out of a medical room and he's not in a better state because he couldn't even talk on the pitch."

Gabriel's injury leaves Wenger with just Rob Holding and Calum Chambers as recognised central defenders for the opening match of the season.