Arsenal to assess Shkodran Mustafi’s thigh injury over next 48 hours amid fears he could face long lay-off

Shkodran Mustafi will be assessed by Arsenal medical staff over the next 48 hours amid fears he could be facing a lengthy injury lay-off.

Mustafi suffered a suspected torn thigh muscle playing for Germany last night and their manager Joachim Low said he expects the defender “will be out for a long time”.

The 25-year-old will require a scan to determine the extent of the injury when he returns to Arsenal and his absence would be a setback for Arsene Wenger. Mustafi pulled up clutching his right thigh in the first half as Germany beat Azerbaijan 5-1 in their final World Cup qualifier.

Low has indicated Mustafi is set for a long spell out, saying: “It does not look good. It is some muscle tear or some muscle fibre tear. He will probably be out for a long time.”

​Mustafi’s injury is a concern for Wenger with Laurent Koscielny struggling with a long-standing Achilles problem.

Koscielny missed the 2-0 win against Brighton before the break and he was not deemed fit enough to join up with the France squad. Mustafi was close to leaving Arsenal for Valencia in the summer but he has started five of their seven Premier League matches this season and has been a key part of their back-three that has kept four successive clean sheets.

Per Mertesacker could come into the defence alongside Nacho Monreal and Rob Holding against Watford on Saturday if Koscielny is not fit to return at Vicarage Road.

Calum Chambers has been struggling with a hip problem and has played just 45 minutes in the Carabao Cup this season.