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Arsenal Boss Confirms Major Injury Blow But Duo Return For Watford Trip

By on October 12, 2017

shkodran mustafi arsenal

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out for up to six weeks but there is better news regarding the fitness of Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck.

Mustafi limped out of Germany’s World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan last weekend after pulling up with a hamstring problem midway through the first half.

Initial reports suggested he had torn his thigh muscle and Wenger has now revealed the centre-back has been ruled out for between four to six weeks.

The timescale means Mustafi will miss upcoming league games against Watford, Everton, Swansea and Manchester City, the League Cup clash with Norwich and our Europa League games with Red Star [home and away].

It’s a major blow as Mustafi was starting to find his best form again before this untimely injury but the good news is he should be back for the Tottenham game after the next international break.

Wenger had a more positive update on Ozil after confirming the attacker is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury that’s kept him out of our last four matches in all competitions.

In a further boost, Welbeck is also back in full training and in the squad on Saturday after overcoming a groin injury that he picked up against Chelsea almost a month ago.

Wenger is quoted as saying at his press conference today by the Express:

“We lost Mustafi for four to six weeks, I don’t think he will be available before the next international break.

“Ozil and Welbeck are back training with the group and will be part of the group for this weekend.

Mustafi’s absence is bad enough but the boss also confirmed today that Laurent Koscielny and Sead Kolasinac are doubts to face Watford on Saturday so we are down to the bare bones in defence.

However, it’s good to have Ozil and Welbeck back in the squad as it gives us plenty of options in the final third so it will be interesting to see who Wenger goes with at Vicarage Road.