Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that he thinks Shkodran Mustafi has ‘done really well’ in training recently.
The Gunners are back in action this evening, as they travel to Austria to take on Rapid Vienna in their first Europa League group stage game of the season.
Arteta may be tempted to rotate some of his side given that there is a game against Leicester City coming up this weekend, and he has issues at centre back.
Rob Holding’s injury means Arteta may be forced into a defensive reshuffle, and Mustafi may be in contention for a start this evening.
The German has returned to training after an injury of his own, and could now make his first appearance of the season against Rapid.
Mustafi, 28, is fighting for his Arsenal future given that he is out of contract at the end of the season, but Arteta has offered him some words of praise.
Arteta noted that Mustafi has ‘done really well’ in training and now looks fit to play, suggesting that he could fill in for Holding if needed despite being out since July.
“We have one or two issues as you know, against City with a few players missing out. We have [Shkodran] Mustafi back after a long injury, he has done really well and looks fit to play,” said Arteta. “We have a big squad, we have 21 players here and will make the decision tomorrow who starts,” he added.
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