Shkodran Mustafi is out of Arsenal's Premier League clash with West Ham United this afternoon after suffering a thigh issue in training.
The German centre-back had been in fine form for Mikel Arteta's side in recent weeks but limped out the defeat to Olympiacos nine days ago after picking up an injury in its closing stages. It is believed that that the thigh problem is separate to any injury Mustafi might have suffered last week.
Mustafi's injury is understood to not be major and is not expected to keep the 27-year-old sidelined for too long.
Without Mustafi to choose from Mikel Arteta has opted to name an unchanged backline with Pablo Mari partnering David Luiz at centre-back and making his first Premier League start since joining Arsenal on loan from Flamengo.
Bukayo Saka and Sokratis Papastathopoulos are the full-back pairing with Hector Bellerin confined to the bench.
Mikel Arteta's defence has been ravaged by injuries since his appointment and in addition to Mustafi's absence he is also still without Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac (both shoulder), Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers (both knee) and defensive midfielder Lucas Torreira (ankle).
He noted that the selection problems at the back had had a major impact on his side this season, although admitted: "I could not tell you with points.
"For sure since I joined, the amount of things that happened is enormous, but we just have to try to adapt. It's part of football.
"It doesn't only happen to us, unfortunately it also happens to many other teams. So we cannot be crying about that. It is what it is.
"Sometimes it's bad luck, sometimes it's part of the game we play and sometimes things that we can avoid and do better as well - the coaches or fitness coaches - but it is what it is."
