Arsenal F.C. needs to plug a lot of holes this summer and most of them are in the midfield. The injury to Shkodran Mustafi compounded the problems of the Gunners. Already out due to injuries are Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari.
Chambers is already working his way back into shape while Mari could be back as early as October. Mari underwent surgery to repair his ankle, which he injured in Arsenal's match against Manchester City. But their woes just got worse with Mustafi’s thigh injury. The German suffered the injury in Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final match last week.
The latest update from Arteta is that Mustafi’s injury is not looking that good. It appears he pulled a tendon off the bone in his hamstring. It would normally take weeks for the injury to heel. However, it appears the 28-year-old center-back will be out until the early part of the 2020-21 season, Goal.com reported. Hence, the Gunners will be severely undermanned by that time.
It remains to be seen who Arteta will target, although there are some names that have popped up. Malang Sarr has been linked to a move to Emirates Stadium, but the Gunners may have to be more aggressive to land the center-back in the Arsenal midfield.
Sarr’s contract with Nice has already expired but there are several other teams interested in the French national. There were reports that talks had already begun but no formal offer has been made for his services.
A bit of a consolation for Arsenal is that William Saliba will be returning to the fold. The 19-year-old recently wrapped up his shortened stint with Saint-Etienne. Saliba wanted to play in the Ligue 1 final, but the two clubs failed to agree on terms. Hence, Saliba was relegated to the sidelines, watching helplessly as Saint-Etienne fell to Paris Saint-Germain.
Regardless, all that is water under the bridge for Saliba. Despite encountering his share of injuries, he is now looking forward to showing Arteta what he gained from the loan spell. Also, it is a dream come true for the 19-year-old who admitted that he has been longing to play for the Gunners.
"I fell for Arsenal from the start," Saliba said. "A number of French players have been there."
Aside from Saliba, it will be interesting who the Gunners will target. Sarr is an option but Arteta needs to broaden his choices this summer.
