Mikel Arteta asked about Shkordan Mustafi’s injury in FA Cup win at Bournemouth

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Arsenal made it into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth last night but it came a cost with the injury to Shkodran Mustafi.

The Gunners set up a trip to Portsmouth but Mustafi was forced off in the second half and according to the Daily Mail, Mikel Arteta was asked about the German’s fitness after the match.

He said: “We’ll be assessing him between today and tomorrow but when a central defender has to come off, hopefully I’m wrong, but normally it’s not good news.

“We have a very clear intention of what we wanted to do in the market with the resources we have. If we can do it that’s fine but his fitness won’t change that.”

TBR’s View – Mustafi injury increases scrutiny on Mari deal

The same report said that Arsenal’s pursuit of Pablo Mari had hit a stumbling block and looked to be off the cards after Flamengo changed their demands.

But if Arteta’s fears are confirmed about Mustafi – and he should know whether or not that’s the case by Friday’s deadline – then it may increase the scrutiny on getting that extra defender over the line.

Arsenal have been unable to get stability in their backline for years due to injury. Arteta is charged with changing that and it might well take new blood.