NEEDS MUST

Comeback king Mustafi returns as Gunners face a centre-half crisis

SHKODRAN MUSTAFI is ready to complete another remarkable return to action as Arsenal’s comeback king.

Mustafi is set to start against Dundalk i n the Europa League tonight as Arsenal have nine centrehalves on the books but only two available to play.

But making dramatic returns has been the story of his career. He was frozen out by Unai Emery, fought his way back under Mikel Arteta, then missed the FA Cup final through injury.

Mustafi, 28, is determined to fight for his place again and win a new contract. He said: “At the end of the day you are always going to have ups and downs. It’s about how strong you are mentally, to not give up and always come back.

“The main thing was I helped the team go to the final, then I enjoyed watching them win. I enjoyed watching them win the Community Shield as well.”

Arsenal currently have David Luiz, Rob Holding and Pablo Mari all crocked, with C al um Chambers just returning from injury.

Neither William Saliba nor Sokratis are registered for the Europa League, while Konstantinos Mavropanos is out on loan at Stuttgart, leaving Arsenal woefully short at the back. Mustafi (with Mohamed d Elneny, right), who joined ned from Valencia in 2016 and is out of contract next summer, added: d: “Arsenal is a huge e club. That’s why if I could stay it would mean a lot. It was imporortant for me to come back after injury y and be ready to help my y team.”

Arteta has a dilemma in attack too as PierreEmerick Aubameyang meyang has now gone ne five Premier League e games without a goal.

Arteta said: “If If you ask me about any other ther player I’d say we have to o work with his confidence, , but with Auba it’s not the case.”