Ian Wright has hailed Mikel Arteta for how he has rejuvenated the career of Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi.
The German had fallen out of favour at the Emirates under Unai Emery and the Spanish manager even told him at the end of last season to find another club.
However, Arsenal struggled to find a buyer for him and he remained at the club.
A good number of Arsenal fans have been very critical of the German and most people expected him to leave the Emirates sooner rather than later.
However, the arrival of Mikel Arteta has turned his Arsenal career around and there have been suggestions that he would get a new deal soon.
Ian Wright believes that his return to form is purely down to the heroics of Mikel Arteta and credited the Spaniard’s good man-management skill for helping Mustafi get back to form.
‘Mustafi is playing fantastic now,’ Wright said as quoted in the Metro.
‘It wasn’t long ago that after the Chelsea game I thought he was someone they had to move on.
‘It seems like he’s [Arteta] getting a tune out of him now. ‘He’s become one of our most solid players.’
Mustafi’s form has seen him become one of the first names on the team sheet and if he continues his fine run of form there is no reason why he will not remain at the Emirates for a good few more years.
Yes, Mustafi seems a different player now. And Xhaka too.
Mikel Arteta, I am persuaded, is in possession of some magic potion. He sneaks up on the affore-mentioned players while they sleep and puts a drop or two in their ears. They begin to hear instructions better and are ready to bust a gut to comply.
Rumours have it that he has been sighted close to Auba’s house in the wee hours of the past week or two. So don’t be surprised if the man ‘signs da tin’…
Me and my run-away imagination and tall tales…
It’s TRUE, people differ in their leadership and management skills. Likewise, there is a difference between a parent and a father. Management must fully support the head coach.for the success of a team. Players too must be fully committed to the team. We hope the team will climb up the log to a respectable position.
You’re so funny 😆
Since unai left, mustafi has changed alot, so he need to be credited for the magic he’s doing.
He is improved but he is always a couple of mistakes away from being calamatious. Unfortunately we have too many players on our books like this. Whilst some are simply not suited to arteta’s required style of play.
Personally I see a whole team that the club could shed. The bigger decisions are the futures of auba, laca, xhaka and ozil. Whilst the likes Macey, mustafi, sokratis, luiz, kolasinac, elneny and mkhitaryan are surely away from the club.
When confidence is shattered it takes time for self belief to return. Low self esteem is deeply damaging. The turn around in Mustafi and Xhaka too is testament to Arteta’s man management skills and he should be applauded. Holding on to them or others after the season’s end will be interesting to follow but you can’t ditch too many at once.