It looks as if Shkodran Mustafi will be out of action until NEXT YEAR after suffering a hamstring injury during today’s 3-1 win over Stoke.

The German international pulled up after about 25 minutes clutching the back of his thigh, and was replaced by Hector Bellerin.

Speaking afterwards, Arsene Wenger was a little flustered by a question as to the severity of the injury:

I asked Arsene about Mustafi. "It looks quite a good hamstring strain". I was baffled. He later clarified: "it is a bad one". — gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) December 10, 2016

Before saying, “The minimum for that kind of injury is 21 days. That means he will have a nice Christmas.”

It is a blow with so much football to play over the festive period, but with Hector Bellerin back, Gabriel looking more confident, and Rob Holding in reserve, it’s not as bad as it might have been.