Arsenal’s new centre back, Shkodran Mustafi came off with an injury in the first half in the Gunners’ home tie against Stoke City. The German, who has been at the heart of Arsenal’s defence alongside the experienced Laurent Koscielny, picked up a hamstring injury and will miss 3 weeks at the least.
Mustafi tweeted to the fans a message saying, "Very bitter injury at that point of the season. I'll do everything I can to recover quickly and come back stronger than before."
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Arsene Wenger, in his post-match press conference, said, "I believe it looks quite a good hamstring strain. Good as in a bad sense." Upon being asked the duration of his injury, he said these injuries tend to keep a player out for three weeks, and joked that Mustafi would enjoy himself a nice Christmas.
Mustafi’s injury adds to Arsene’s problems at the back, with Debuchy and Mertesacker both out injured, at least till the new year. Hector Bellerin replaced the German in the match, and ended up assisting Arsenal’s equaliser. His return will be a relief to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal fans alike, allowing Gabriel to fill the void left by Mustafi for this period.
Also read: Do Arsenal have the squad depth to achieve success?
Wenger also has Rob Holding to call into that role should he need to rotate the squad. The young Englishman recently enjoyed a good Champions League debut away at Basel and will be vying for more playing time. With games coming thick and fast in the festive period, Arsene Wenger will see the depth of his squad tested and he will be hoping that that the players from the bench stand up and make themselves count when called upon.
Arsenal went on to win their match against Stoke, despite going a goal down, with goals from Walcott, Ozil and Alex Iwobi sending the Gunners on top of the table for a day. The London club now travel for two matches on the trot, with trips to Everton and Manchester City scheduled for the week. The Toffees and Citizens are both in dubious form and Arsenal will be looking to exploit that and pick up as many points as possible.
The Gunners are still unbeaten since the first match of the season, when Liverpool beat them at their own home.
