Mustafi has had a bad year but will improve at Arsenal

The German international Shkrodan Mustafi came to Arsenal with a big reputation, despite flopping at Everton earlier in his career and he certainly didn’t come cheaply at a time when we were desperate to shore up our defence.

But this season, if anything, our defensive record has been even worse with Mustafi making numerous mistakes that have gifted our opponent’s crucial goals. He was yet again at fault against Newcastle last week but Arsene Wenger insists that he is still young for a centre-back and can only improve. “His confidence is lower.” the Boss said. “He has played many games and most of the mistakes he made have been post-Europa League games because he was a bit jaded.

“On that front that is part of the fatigue factor which would be the explanation why he had some less good games.

“We are in a job where we can’t demand that people, when you make mistakes, say that it’s absolutely wonderful. That’s part of Arsenal. Like me when I lose games, I have to accept that.”

There were rumours that he was nearly sold last summer, and there have been even more calling for him to be sold after this disastrous season, but Wenger says there was no truth in the rumours. “He wasn’t close [to leaving]. He is a young defender who has had ups and downs. I believe overall he has potential. He is one of the guys who is committed and goes for the challenges.

“He is not one guy who hides from the responsibility, so overall he will be a promising defender for the future. Experience helps.

“In this job, goalkeeper and central defender is a job for old people or older people. So overall that plays a part of course.”

Obviously a lot of Arsenal fans have been unhappy with the ex-Sampdoria defender, but he is still a World Cup winner and perhaps 25 is young for a centre-back. So are you happy that we will perservere with Mustafi for the forseeable future?

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52 Comments

  1. Get rid ASAP
    However I’m hearing Gazadis is recommending Arteta ?
    So someone who has no experience as a manager and has won very little as a player ?

  2. Gazidis favours mikel arteta for the arsenal manager position
    @skysports

    i hope this is a joke

    thoughts?

    1. Simple someone up will do as he’s told, apparently the players do not want him as he’s arrogant and full of himself

      I won’t be spending money on seeing his team as I have not faith in him, he chose to go to city and at best he’s peps lackey

      1. Arteta has now exactly the tools he needs under pep, he knows Arsenal and respects, he knows the current EPL teams and players so no surprises, if I have to chose between any ex- Arsenal players as our next manager hands down it will have to be Arteta

  3. I would be happy if we get Arteta because the CEO has Faith in him.Arteta is calm and intelligent and high spirited. There is a reason why he is highly regarded

    1. He’s not highly regarded by the players, and no one else has offered him a job, so he’s only highly regarded by gazadis who’s Never got a manager before
      So where do you base your opinion from

    2. As you never answer Council I will do it for you.

      Let’s look at what’s needed
      Someone who attracts players -Henry, Viera, alegri,Tuchel, Enrique are all more likely to this better
      As a tactical coach . Allegri, Tuchel, Enrique all better and tested
      Fans support, I’m guessing the fans would not want him
      Someone to get the best out of players- untested however Jardim, Tuchel, would be better

      So why is he your first choice

      1. I wouldn’t bother with answering for Counsel John0711, I’ve never seen a sensible quote from him since he’s posted on this site. I’d be surprised if he’s ever kicked a ball or been to football match in his life. He’s just constantly argumentative

        1. How can anyone leave Ancellotti out of consideration with his CV?
          The problem the board has with all the high profile successful managers available to Arsenal is that they are not “yes men”. They have a winning mentality and expect the club and the board to back them as they strive for success.
          That is not to say that there shouldn’t be financial and other parameters agreed prior to appointment.
          Arsenal do not want another manager to have to continually protect the board from facing up to their responsibilities.
          No “yes men”, proven winners only.

  4. There was a story doing rounds of how arsenal players that are late for training are given fines with mertesacker as the enforcer.
    apparently when arteta was captain he saved the money from the fines and bought gazidis a watch.
    hence the dislike from fellow players.

    dont know if it was true or nah

    1. Oh he will go down well with players then, il have a bet with anyone that f he gets it he won’t last two years

  5. FFS this site is turning into a playground.

    All the vitriol and bile being spouted about a rumour, I pity anyone who comes to manage our club, whoever, and whatever happens they’ll get in the neck.

    And for the record, Arteta went to City because Wenger made it clear there was no position available in the coaching staff.

    1. Sorry for having an opinion about something that I pay a fortune to watch silly me. Art era went to city and isn’t even the assistant manager

      I want the best for my club, your right my opinion doesn’t matter however, the club deserves the best possible manager which isn’t Arteta

  6. FFS this site is turning into a playground.

    All the vitriol and bile being spouted about a rumour, I pity anyone who comes to manage our club, whoever, and whatever happens they’ll get in the neck.

    And for the record, Arteta went to City because Wenger made it clear there was no position available in the coaching staff.

    1. Give me your reason why ?
      One won lots as a player
      Is a manger
      And a legend at the club

      The other is Arteta

  7. I’m not sure how you can all dismiss Arteta as a manager.

    How many assistant managers do you see having an active role at their respective clubs? Look at Steve Bould as an example!

    Obviously he hasn’t coached anywhere yet which makes him an odd choice for such a prestigious club like Arsenal – and to follow in Wenger’s footsteps – but that’s no reason to attack him even before he’s made his mark.

  8. Also, just realised this thread was regarding Mustafi.

    My verdict’s still out. I really rated him when he first joined. He has been dire this year though so have a lot of our other players. Koscielny’s been out injured a lot and to take the responsibility of being our leading defender can be tough.

    I’m hoping a new manager can bring through his better qualities next season – and I’m also hoping they can do this for a lot of the rest of the team.

    1. I remeber we went without losing for many games with Mustafi first joins the team we caled him Arsenals lucky charm and it all went pair shape when he got injured

      1. It’s funny non of our injured players come back strong, I wonder if we make too much of their injuries and give them a sycological fear of re- injury

  9. Let’s just face facts. Mustafi is wack. Next manager improves him then he is just less wack. But he is still wack.

  10. People are being too harsh on him
    Mustafi is still useable of the bench
    Upgrade the starting position but keep Mustafi as a backup
    He is a world cup winner
    He will improve.

  11. Apart from Monreal, we don’t have a defence. Mustafi is not consistent enough and makes too many errors but I can’t fault his commitment and Kos has probably gone past his best. The new manager’s priority is to rebuild from the back just as George Graham did when he took over which may take time which is something the club will give him. I just hope it’s Allegri!!

  12. Let’s face it.Our defence have been conceding goals all season and other than Monreal none of our defenders have been consistent.But they rarely have the cover in front of them and that is why it becomes a priority for us to sign a quality CDM this summer.I honestly believe that Mustafi could turn into a very good CB but for that to happen it requires the whole team to defend as a unit and we have not had that for too long now.The comical defending for Newcastle’s second goal at SJP last week sums up our defending this season.Too many goals like that have been our downfall and explains our ridiculously poor away form.Better coaching to defend as a team and a CDM and we will concede fewer goals.
    I’m not saying Mustafi will end up a world beater and he has made far too many simple mistakes this season that have ultimately cost us but there is a player here.He just needs to be in a defence that is drilled to defend.Thats not unreasonable.

      1. Everyone rates the old Arsenal back four, as I see it and remeber Adams controlled the back like a tirent they all stood the line they only left for set peaches like free kicks in the box or corners, the rest of the time you can draw a straight line from Dixon, Adams, Bould, Winterburn

        1. Well that’s because those players were drilled repeatedly by George Graham to DEFEND.It didn’t happen by accident.And yet in spite of Steve Bould being Wengers assistant we were an absolute shambles at the back this season.Why Wenger never addressed this contributed to his downfall.

          1. Not just this season every season our left back and right back play further up the field then our attackers, I understand the game plan but we are always cought with our pants down on counter attacks, it’s like the old Brizilian mentality we will concedes goals but e will score more, yes that all works if you have a world class attacking striker midfield players

            I know Montreal is doing better job of scoring lately then some of our offensive players but he shouldn’t be He should hold the line, we are always crowding the opposition box no room to play most of the time, if you noticed we are so much more dangerous when we counter attack that’s when we have space and gaps to play our beutiful football and not passing the ball hundred times just outside the opposition box with two double decker buses in the way one of them being ours

          2. We was caled the boring Arsenal those days and we were, without contradicting my self I much prefer AW attacking footbal but with a little bit more defending or I realy think 3-5-2 suits us beter then any team in the EPL if we stick to it

            1. The “boring Arsenal” was a jibe from opposition supporters, who hated seeing their team lose.
              The “1:0 to the Arsenal” was a cheer from the Arsenal supporters, in praise of the defence, because once the Arsenal scored there was no way back for the opposition.
              It is interesting to look back at the average score in games won, by successful George Graham managed sides; it might surprise.
              With regard to Mustafi, the new manager will assess his form and potential, as with the rest of the Arsenal squad, and decide their future.

  13. We have scored a fair amount of goals but conceded pathetic goals. To me watching Mustafi is horrific. He makes serious mistakes that can cost points match after match. Rob Holding is much the same. Is their panicky football down to them or did Wenger somehow induce it? Personally I think our defence needs a major overhaul.
    How anybody sees Arteta as Arsenal’s manager is beyond me. He has no passion and was an immensely boring player. Nobody will need sleeping tablets if he becomes manager. We want the best manager possible, but if we settle for second best we will be a mid table team for sure.

  14. Some people seem to think that because you’ve sat next to Pep for a year, your suddenly in position to manage a world renowned club like Arsenal, preferable I’d rather Mr Lego head learned his managerial skills at a lesser club than ours, even Veira would rather learn his trade before taking on a bigger role. We need a top class manager and there are far better candidates out there, as for Mustaphi, he’s been a complete let down.

  15. I know Martesacker was very slow but we need a defender like him but with more speed. I now feel like Koscielny was a good cb because of Merts. Mustafi & Koscielny are similar in terms of playing style but both don’t know how to read the game & stay calm like Merts. They are also not leaders like Merts. We need a calm defender who can read the game very well & organize the defense like Adams.

    1. Spot on

      Mustafi and Koscielny have similar way of defending, so it would be better if one of them is replaced by another type of defender

      Preferably a taller and stronger CB that has more discipline in the back, a sweeper type. Koscielny is much older, so he has to go

  16. Mustafi will never improve.He lacks stature, speed,composure and the ability to read the game.He is without doubt one of the poorest centre backs in the Premier League and may well have been the last straw as far as the Arsenal Board is concerned.£35,m down the drain.Arsenal will be lucky to get £10m for him now.

  17. Mustafi isn’t just playing badly, he is making basic errors ..like not attacking the ball when he should ..and not backing off or staying on his feet when that is needed. Letting players nip in front of you, without spotting the runner or just standing still waiting for the ball, that should rarely happen at this level of the game. I honestly believe there are commentator’s in here that would have stopped that occurring at a better rate. His partner changing didn’t help, we didn’t really have a settled back line due to formation changes as well as personnel. Koscielny is not the right partner for him, but he looks bench quality, a fourth choice CB who has the capability to put in a solid game once in a while. But he nowhere near consistent enough for an AFC first team CB. The defenders we’ve had throughout the years, proper defenders. Before Wenger we were a long-ball team, throughout almost every decade we were a long-ball team, ugly ugly football, horrible to watch if neutral, even in the seasons we won …but great at defending.

  18. Mustafi is so easly to give up marking the opponent, he always see if the offside flag is up or not, lack of fighting spirit.
    Hes lucky to have world cup medal, couse he replace the injury marco reus.

  19. Mustafi, would probably improve with a manager / coach who is interested in making the defence tighter, but is still, IMO, not up to the job. We have not one quality proven good enough defender at the entire club of top standard, though Monreal is by far our most reliable and the only one I would keep. Both keepers and all the others must be shipped out as soon as they can be properly replaced. I acccept this will not happen overnight, obviously, but we must begin the process. I am not delighted that we fans have forced Wenge rout , if it means retaining the junk he left behind. In an ideal world I would be keen to keep only these: Ozil, Auba, Laca, Ramsey, Mykhtaryan plus Monreal for a while and also all the as not yet proven either good or bad enough players; AM-N, Nelson and the like. Perhaps I, like countless other Gooners too, are all “guilty” of having that club taboo of the last decade; PROPER AMBITION!

    1. Kolasinac, Bellerin, Chambers, Holding, Beilik, Mavrapanos, Nelson, Xhaka link player in Alonso area, Martinez, Elneny, Welbeck, Nketiah, Adelaide, Bola, Tutu, Smith Rowe, Dragomir, Fortune, Sheaf, Nwakali, Mavididi. These will all get a close look, some will make the squad over next two seasons, one or two might surprise, and some will be sold. That’s 27 altogether with your six, my guess is at least 17 of these will stay AFC come the flowing season after the next.

      Also I would have liked if Mavididi had gotten his shot, he’s quick tricky and direct, he’s a handful, I used to say the same about Salah.

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