Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club will not look to alter its January transfer plans after Shkodran Mustafi was stretchered off on Monday night.
It has always amused me when press and pundits alike immediately suggest that a club will now buy a player because another is injured for a few months. Why would you pay for someone for three years just to cover a short-term problem?
Besides, Arsenal are looking to replace Mustafi permanently, there would seem to be no point rushing that process just because he has done what looks like it could be significant ligament damage.
Asked about Mustafi’s injury and if that meant a move for Pablo Mari was now more necessary, Arteta said, “No.
“We had a very clear intention of what we wanted to do in the market with the resources we have and if we can do it, fine. But his fitness [Mustafi’s fitness] won’t change anything.”