Arsenal star defender limps off against Stoke with hamstring injury

Arsenal are sweating on Shkodran Mustafi ahead of the festive period after he limped off against Stoke City on saturday. 

Mustafi pulled up before the half hour mark with what appeared a hamstring problem. 

Hector Bellerin, who has been out injured himself, entered the fray in Mustafi's place with Gabriel switching across to the centre of defence. 

Arsenal face a run of six games in the next 28 days, starting with a trip to Everton on Tuesday. 

And they are set to be without Mustafi for at least a couple of weeks with the German having formed a strong partnership with Laurent Koscielny. 

Per Mertesacker is back in training but is not expected to return until the New Year.