Arsenal are faced with an injury crisis ahead of their trip to Watford on Saturday, with seven players potentially sidelined for the clash at Vicarage Road. Arsene Wenger has a selection headache ahead of the weekend with seven of his first-team stars currently sidelined through injury. Centre-back Shkodran Mustafi suffered a torn ligament during Germany’s 5-1 win over Azerbaijan on Sunday, while Laurent Koscielny faces a race to be fit after an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil is also on the comeback trail after a knee problem, while Francis Coquelin remains out with a hamstring injury.

The quartet join a trio of other stars on the treatment table as the Arsenal squad is stretched to the limit ahead of their return to Premier League action. Shkodran Mustafi suffered a thigh sprain muscle problem while on international duty with Germany against Azerbaijan as the holders secured their place at the 2018 World Cup on the back of 10 straight qualifying wins in Group C. Nacho Monreal is expected to be available, but Laurent Koscielny has been nursing a troublesome Achilles which flared up before the international break, while Calum Chambers is recovering from a groin problem. Rob Holding, who played against Brighton alongside Koscielny, and veteran German Per Mertesacker are other options to come in for Mustafi.

Sead Kolasinac only managed 45 minutes for Bosnia though according to reports from the player’s home country, there is no suggestion in the press that Kolasinac is actually injured. Danny Welbeck was out following a groin injury while Ozil picked up an injury during training and has inflammation of the knee. Francis Coquelin should soon return after his hamstring strain but is not confirmed for Saturday. And well we have Santi Carzola’s long term injury.