Shkodran Mustafi looks set to suffer FA Cup heartache, with the defender expected to miss the Wembley showpiece with Chelsea through injury.
Mustafi, who was firmly out of favour with former boss Unai Emery, has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side and had started nine of Arsenal’s 10 games prior to the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City.
But after suffering a hamstring injury in the closing stages of the 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side, Mustafi was forced to miss Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
The Germany international has undergone a scan on the problem and head coach Mikel Arteta has now revealed he fears the centre-back will not be available to face Chelsea at Wembley.
“I doubt it,” said Arteta, when asked if Mustafi would be fit for the final.
“We have to see how he evolves in the next few days, but at the moment I doubt it.”
Arsenal go into Sunday’s Premier League finale with Watford sitting 10th in the table, knowing they can’t finish higher than eighth. It will be the club’s worst league finish since 1995.
