Arteta delivered the bad news for the Arsenal defender following the Gunners’ 3-2 victory over Watford at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League on Sunday evening.
The 28-year-old central defender suffered a hamstring injury against Manchester City in the FA Cup earlier this month.
The Germany international centre-back is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and Arteta has admitted that he will miss the start of next season.
Arteta told Football.London when asked if Mustafi will miss the start of next season: “Yes, he will He pulled the tendon of the bone of his hamstring and that’s normally a lot of weeks.”
The Arsenal boss added in The London Evening Standard: “We have lost Calum Chambers the week after I arrived here, we lost Pablo as well for three months.
“Now we’ve lost Musti, so at the back we’re really touched and short. Musti has been playing really consistently and at a really good level with me. He pulled the tendon off the bone in his hamstring and that’s normally a lot of weeks.
“I already mentioned three central defenders that are not available and we haven’t had them available for a long time during the season. And we will have to address that.”
Blow for Shkodran Mustafi
Mustafi has been playing well under Arteta in recent weeks, and the injury will come as a bitter blow, both to the player and to the club.
According to WhoScored, the 28-year-old made 13 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners this season, providing one assist in the process.
The German defender also scored one goal in seven Europa League matches, and played thrice in the FA Cup and once in the EFL Cup this campaign, according to WhoScored.
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