Arsenal defender Mustafi ruled out for up to 6 weeks

Arsenal are ready to thrust Laurent Koscielny back into action this weekend amid fears Shkodran Mustafi will miss at least a month with a thigh injury.

The central defender missed France’s recent internationals and has not played since the victory against West Bromwich on September 25 due to an ongoing Achilles problem.

Koscielny has to be nursed through the season due to the long-standing problem; meaning a reduced training load.

Shkodran Mustafi will miss at least a month with a thigh injury picked up with Germany

Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger is ready to call upon the Frenchman for this weekend’s visit to Watford with Mustafi certain to miss out. It is hoped the international break has allowed Koscieny’s troublesome Achilles sufficient rest to start at Vicarage Road.

Wenger will confirm on Thursday how long he expects Mustafi to miss with the thigh injury sustained whilst playing for Germany against Azerbaijan on Sunday night.

But it is understood the former Valencia defender will struggle to play again this month.

There is better injury news, however, regarding Sead Kolasinac, who was forced off whilst playing for Bosnia on Tuesday night with the left-sided defender expected to be available for the game against the Hornets.

Koscielny has been nursed through the season due to an Achilles problem

Wenger, meanwhile, will make a late decision on the make up of his front three for the game against Marco Silva’s men.

Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil are expected to be available for selection following injury; but Alexis Sanchez, Alex Iwobi, Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette have all been involved during the international break.

Sanchez’s position, in particular, could come under scrutiny with the Chilean expected to return to the club’s London Colney HQ on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Calum Chambers has signed a new two year contract at the Emirates Stadium club.