Arsenal’s new recruit Shkodran Mustafi has hit the ground running so far this season and has established himself as one the first names on the team sheet.
Emirates Stadium
After the Summer break and when the season began like always, optimism swept over the Emirates. The same faint whispers regarding a title challenge disseminated amongst fans.
The whispers were soon put to bed and optimism swiftly dashed with an opening day 4-3 defeat to Liverpool. Though Arsenal looked an attacking threat they seemed to exhibit the same old familiar traits, a cycle of complacency and capitulation, a lacking mental aptitude and strength. The culmination of which led to one result, underachievement.
But with youthful and defensive naive Calum Chambers (now on loan at Middlesborough) ,21, and Rob Holding,21, operating at the heart of the Gunners defence was such a result anything other than inevitable.
With Per Mertesacker and Gabriel sidelined and Laurent Koscielny lacking match fitness, Wenger was left with no options.
Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi may be the answer to Arsenal’s defensive woes
The one player earmarked, Shkodran Mustafi was still in negotiation and the season had seemed to come too early for Wenger’s side.
Once the German international was finally unveiled as an Arsenal player he took little to hit the ground running, showing much quality alongside Koscielny.
The pair are unbeaten with clean sheets in their last three games together. They are alway yet to concede from open play in the Premier League and with their 1-0 victory over Burnley have not conceded a goal in 280 minutes of domestic action.
Such gritty resolve and defensive nous has not been seen since the ‘1-0 to the Arsenal’ George Graham days. And it has been over 10-years since Arsenal’s invincibles, which teamsheet featured names such as Sol Campbell, Martin Keown and Kolo Toure.
The duo displays a new-found confidence at the back having showed much promise and strength. They could be the foundation for which a title is won and for the first time in a long time, Arsenal seem to have a great defensive partnership.
Ever-present Mustafi has not lost a game as an Arsenal player and represents somewhat of an anomaly as most new arrivals are tentative and need time to adjust and acclimatise to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi has forged a formidable partnership with Koscielny
What makes the 24-year-old so suited to English football? Perhaps, it is the ever growing German contingent in North London or more likely his spell at Everton in 2009 gave him the insight on how to navigate through the rigours of the English domestic game.
His German efficiency holds no bounds, against Chelsea -a team known for bullying and terrorising Arsenal defences in recent history – the World Cup winner did not look out of place and tamed the fiery Diego Costa in what should be regarded a defensive materclass.
The purchase of Shkodran Mustafi may eventually come to be known as a bargain, for Arsenal have not only a classy defender but a leader, a scrapper and most importantly a winner.
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