Mikel Arteta places ‘trust’ in Shkodran Mustafi as Arsenal defender addresses rumours he turned down contract offer
Mikel Arteta insisted that Shkodran Mustafi was part of his future plans at Arsenal despite the defender being in the final year of his contract.
The 28-year-old made a substitute appearance in Sunday's Premier League defeat to Leicester, his first action since suffering his hamstring issue in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Man City in July.
He looks set to feature in the Europa League clash with Dundalk on Thursday as he is just one of two fit centre-backs alongside Gabriel.
Arsenal manager Arteta insisted he had trust in Mustafi and praised his efforts to recover from injury.
“Mustafi is completely fit to play. Obviously the internal contractual situations are going to be discussed,” Arteta said.
“I have been very happy with Mustafi since since I joined, the progress he has made and the performances he has had.
“He had a long-term injury, he has worked so hard to get back into the position where he is today and I just want him to show again the trust that we have in him and get the performances that we have in the past from him as well.”
Reports claimed that Mustafi had turned down an offer of a new contract to stay at Arsenal.
The defender addressed those rumours ahead of the Europa League clash on Thursday.
"Well at the moment I was just happy to come back from injury, it was three long months - I was happy just to come back and be able to play again," Mustafi replied when asked about a new contract.
"We haven't been talking about anything so there isn't anything I can tell you guys.”
"When I made a decision to sign for Arsenal it is because I respect this club," he added.
"It is a huge club, that's why for me if I could stay at Arsenal, of course it would mean a lot to me.
"At the end of the day, it was important for me in the last three months to come back after the injury and to be ready to play and to help my team.
"When you hopefully get a few games, you can maybe look at the future. But at the moment for me it has been difficult, because in the last months I haven't really been thinking about the end of my contract or what's going on with the future because all I wanted was to be back as quick as possible.
"I think I missed a few important games in the last months and I just wanted to be back as quick as possible, try and play a few games and then when the time comes, think about what's next and hopefully we are going to have some news for you."