Mustafi Got Injury, Mikel Arteta Wants to Bring New Defender to Arsenal

DBasia.news – Mikel Arteta said Arsenal had to bring in a new center back in the transfer window after revealing that Shkodran Mustafi would be absent at the start of the 2020-21 season due to a hamstring injury.

The German defender suffered an injury at the end of the FA Cup semifinal match against Manchester City on July 19, which the Gunners won 2-0.

Mustafi did a scan earlier this week, and speaking after Arsenal defeated Watford 3-2 on Sunday night (7/26), Arteta has now revealed the extent of his injury.

“It looks really bad. He pulled a tendon from the bone in his hamstring and it usually takes a few weeks to recover,” Arteta quoted Goal as saying.

When asked if that means Mustafi will miss the start of the 2020-21 season, which will take place on September 12, Arteta added: “Yes, he will miss it.”

Arsenal have lost Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari because of long-term injuries. Chambers is now back to doing light work on the training ground, but is not expected to be fully fit for several months.

Meanwhile, Mari has undergone surgery after suffering an ankle ligament injury during the defeat against Manchester City in June, and is not expected to play until October.

And coupled with Mustafi’s unavailability for the beginning of next season, Arteta said Arsenal had to overcome the problems in their defense when the transfer window reopened.

“I mentioned three central defenders who are not available and [two of them] have not been available for a long time this season. We have to overcome that.”