Shkodran Mustafi taken off on a stretcher against Bournemouth with ankle injury which could force Arsenal to step up pursuit of defender Pablo Mari

Shkodran Mustafi is facing time on the sidelines after being taken off on a stretcher against Bournemouth in the FA cup fourth-round match on Monday night.

The Arsenal defender landed awkwardly on his ankle and had to leave the field as a result.

The Gunners already have defenders Calum Chambers, Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac on the injury table.  

Mikel Arteta's side are already trying to salvage their deal for defender Pablo Mari after his club Flamengo called it off on Monday.

Mari had undergone his medical with Arsenal and was ready to sign only for Flamengo to change their demands on what was expected to be a loan with view to a permanent £7.5million deal.

The 26-year-old was forced to fly back to Rio de Janeiro but failed to report for pre-season training with Flamengo as he pushed for the transfer to be revived.  

It came after a Flamengo director has claimed Arsenal moved the goalposts in the deal to bring Pablo Mari to the Emirates.

Mari arrived in London on Saturday for his medical after Arsenal technical director Edu had agreed a deal with Flamengo to sign him on loan with view to a £7.5m transfer.

No problems were anticipated but the player is now back in Brazil after a late hitch.

Shkodran Mustafi is facing time on the sidelines after being stretchered off on Monday night