Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that defender Shkodran Mustafi will likely be out for three weeks after sustaining an injury at the weekend.
The German international pulled up with a hamstring problem in the first half of his side’s 3-1 win over Stoke City, and it had been feared he would be forced to sit on the sidelines for an extended period of time.
Speaking in his press conference on Monday, as confirmed by ESPN FC correspondent Mattias Karen in the tweet below, Wenger revealed that Mustafi has an estimated three-week recovery period.
Wenger says Aaron Ramsey "still not ready" for Everton game. Estimate for Mustafi is still 3 weeks out.
— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) December 12, 2016
In turn, that will rule him out of games against Everton, Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth over a busy Christmas period.
Wenger will undoubtedly be disappointed to lose any key players to injury at this stage of the season, but it will be offset by the form of Gabriel.
The Brazilian has been filling in at right-back in recent weeks due to Hector Bellerin’s injury, but with the Spaniard returning on Saturday, Gabriel can now be shifted over to partner Laurent Koscielny until Mustafi returns.
It’s another example of Arsenal’s squad depth and strength this season, and Wenger will hope it’s enough to sustain their good run of form.
Meanwhile, the French tactician also confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will miss the Everton game as he is also struggling with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the win over Stoke.
Granit Xhaka and Francis Coquelin combined well in that victory over the Potters, and so they will likely get the nod to continue at Goodison Park.