Once the international break concludes Arsenal will face four games in nine days and that will mean that the youngsters and possibly some fringe players will get an opportunity for some game time and that includes Shkodran Mustafi.
The German defender is as solid a fringe player as you can get, the chances of him getting anywhere near the first-team for Premier League matches is very remote, however, that does not necessarily mean that he is a permanent outcast.
These are the first four games for Arsenal when the players return from international duty.
Sun 15th Watford v Arsenal – Premier League
Thu 19th Eintracht Frankfurt v Arsenal – Europa League
Sun 22nd Arsenal v Aston Villa – Premier League
Tue 24th Arsenal v Nottingham Forest – Carabao Cup
We can dismiss the Premier League games, Mustafi has no chance with the Watford and Aston Villa clashes and he is probably unlikely to feature in the Europa League match at Eintracht Frankfurt, though I would not eliminate him from selection for that game entirely.
That leaves Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup and I reckon that Unai Emery will give him an outing in that fixture. This could give the 27-year-old a route back to Premier League contention.
If the senior team continue to mess up in defence, which is very possible and if Mustafi puts in some good performances in the cup games then it is not out of the question that a recall would could happen.
I accept it is unlikely but never say never, not when it comes to Arsenal football club.