Arsenal star Shkodran Mustafi set to miss Man City clash as Arsene Wenger faces defensive dilemma

Key figure: Shkodran Mustafi has been important for Arsenal this season
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James Olley31 October 2017

Arsene Wenger is facing a defensive dilemma this week with Shkodran Mustafi unlikely to be fit for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.

There was a suggestion Mustafi could be available ahead of schedule, having been originally ruled out until after the international break with a groin injury. But this weekend’s showdown is expected to come too soon in his recovery.

Wenger will continue his policy of rotation for Thursday’s Europa League home game against Red Star Belgrade with Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal set to be rested with the City match in mind.

The Gunners boss used Per Mertesacker in Arsenal’s opening two European matches but left him out of the last match in Belgrade with a view to keeping him fresh for the following league game, at Everton.

Arsenal won comfortably at Goodison Park, despite conceding twice. But Mertesacker’s performance against Swansea, in particular his vulnerability to Tammy Abraham’s pace and movement, has raised concerns as to whether the 33-year-old is up to facing Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring City side.

Mertesacker, who is set to retire at the end of the season, overcame similar concerns to produce a fine display in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea but City have been hugely impressive so far this season, currently leading the Premier League by five points and averaging 3.5 goals per game. Wenger’s centre-back trio against Red Star could be instructive with Mathieu Debuchy a possible option having completed 120 minutes against Norwich in the Carabao Cup last week while Calum Chambers has resumed full training again following a hip injury.

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Neither would be considered suitable to face City, however. Rob Holding is another option while Mohamed Elneny played as a makeshift centre-back in Belgrade and against Norwich.

Wenger is expected to welcome back goalkeeper David Ospina after a groin problem while Sead Kolasinac is still being assessed after limping out of last Saturday’s 2-1 win with a hip problem.

Arsenal hope he will recover in time, but if not Nacho Monreal would be favourite to switch to left wing-back.