Fit-again Shkodran Mustafi facing huge period with Arsenal contract winding down

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Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi is available for selection again – and the German has work to do with his current contract at the Emirates winding down.

The 28-year-old has not been seen in Arsenal colours since July when he got injured against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.

Mustafi had been nursing a hamstring issue, but an update provided by Arsenal’s official website has informed supporters that he is back fit and available to Mikel Arteta.

The former Valencia defender is now heading into a very important period.

At the moment, the star’s contract expires next summer, meaning clubs from overseas could potentially enter into pre-contract negotiations in January.

If he’s hoping to get a new deal with Arsenal, he’ll have to work very hard given the many options now available to Arteta.

TBR’s View – Crunch time for Mustafi

Since Arteta took over as manager, there has undeniably been an improvement in Mustafi.

There is a good defender in there and with him, it’s been about his tendency to make errors. Without them, he’d be a top centre-half.

There’s still time for him to prove he’s cut them out, but he needs a big few months.

There’s a lot of centre-back options now for Arteta, and Mustafi will need to take full advantage of the chances he gets, or he could find himself being forced out for a cut-price fee in January.