Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi will be sidelined for four to six weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Wenger revealed during his pre-Watford press conference on Thursday morning that Mustafi won’t feature against the Hornets and could potentially be out for up to six weeks.
At Colney. Wenger: "I haven't seen everybody. Sanchez comes back tomorrow. Kolasinac (hip) will be assessed. Mustafi out 4-6 weeks."
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) October 12, 2017
Wenger confirms Mustafi is out until next international break. Says Kolasinac has minor hip problem.
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) October 12, 2017
The centre-back pulled up in the 36th minute of Germany’s 5-1 2018 World Cup qualifier win against Azerbaijan at the weekend. The way he instantly hopped on one leg and the amount of pain the 25-year-old was obviously in made it clear that whatever he’d done was pretty bad.
It’s since been confirmed that Mustafi has suffered a hamstring injury, which has left Gooners frustrated. Germany had already qualified for next year’s World Cup so the clash against Azerbaijan was practically meaningless. It’s just like Arsenal to lose a first team player during what’s basically an international friendly.
Although Laurent Koscielny faces a late test ahead of the Premier League match away to Watford, the early signs are apparently positive and his Achilles problem seems to have once again calmed down after rest. However, at the moment, he’s out.
Wenger says Koscielny has a "final test tomorrow – at the moment he is not available. Trained on his own, signs positive so he has a test."
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) October 12, 2017
The centre-back could be in contention to start at the weekend but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Kos hasn’t played since Arsenal’s home win against West Brom on 25 September.