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Arsenal handed fresh major injury concern ahead of Chelsea clash

By mac14 on May 22, 2017

According to the BBC, Arsenal are facing a defensive crisis as Shkodran Mustafi is also a doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup against Chelsea.

Mustafi missed Sunday’s final Premier League game against Everton at the Emirates with the club suggesting he was ruled out through illness.

However, the BBC claim that Mustafi actually missed the game yesterday after suffering concussion during our win over Sunderland last Tuesday night.

They say Arsenal were initially expecting the centre-back to be available to face Chelsea but the condition is more serious than first thought so Mustafi is now a doubt for the FA Cup final.

This is the last thing we needed as Laurent Koscielny is certain to miss out after being sent off against Everton while Gabriel is a major doubt after suffering a knee injury yesterday.

The Brazilian was stretchered off and Wenger admitted after the game that the injury looks serious so there is virtually no chance Gabriel will be available.

If Mustafi is also ruled out, then Wenger is facing a huge decision. Does he revert to a back four with Rob Holding alongside Nacho Monreal? Or stick with the back three and hand Per Mertesacker his first start of the season?

Both options fill me with fear so let’s pray Mustafi recovers in time as a back three of Mustafi – Holding – Monreal is capable of doing a job against Chelsea.

However, we have an added issue as with Monreal needed at centre-back, we’ll have to also hope that Gibbs recovers from the thigh injury that kept him out against Everton.

Injuries and suspensions have come at a nightmare time for us as we need to be at full strength against the newly-crowned champions this weekend.