Unai Emery insists Shkodran Mustafi can be an active member of Arsenal’s first-team squad despite being told he could leave the club in the summer.
The 27-year-old was publicly deemed surplus to requirements by Emery last month but failed to secure a move away from Emirates Stadium.
Mustafi is yet to play a single minute for the Gunners this season but ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Watford, head coach Emery claims the centre-back could feature again soon following clear-the-air talks.
Emery said: “When he decided [to stay] I spoke to him and said ‘you’re one more in the squad, I’m going to work with you as other players'.
“He decided to be here, I don’t know exactly who was in his decision but when we spoke and he decided to stay here it’s a start with him as another player in the squad.
“Really, since he decided to stay here, he’s working every day with a big motivation and good spirit.
"That is one issue I want from every player: training with good spirit, helping and after giving us his performance in training and the match.”
Emery also revealed £72million club-record signing Nicolas Pepe is struggling with an injury – but admitted he didn’t know what the problem was.
Pepe was withdrawn from the Ivory Coast squad as he looks to improve his fitness and Emery called for supporters to give the 24-year-old time to adapt.
“It is a small problem,” he said. “I am not a doctor, but it is a small problem. We need people to be patient with him and also help him to be comfortable, to know us, to know the opposition teams.
"But I think it is going well and each training, each match is very important to be ready and to achieve the performance. And I really think the progress is perfect.”
