Arsenal now has a choice of central defensive partnerships including Pablo Mari and Shkodran Mustafi.
Pablo Mari has presented Mikel Arteta with a new selection problem as the Spaniard continues to impress for the Gunners. He has been waiting for his chance to play for his new team and he seems to have taken his chances well so far.
Mari has started the last two games alongside David Luiz and he is set to play more games for the team, however, could he partner Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of Arsenal’s defence?
Mustafi is another player who has been revived under Mikel Arteta and the German seems to have seized his chance to repair some of the damage his career has suffered.
When fit, he has been one of the first names on Arsenal’s team sheet this year and his return from injury this week opens up a new possibility at the back.
I have enjoyed watching both players partner Luiz at the back this season, but I doubt if they can play with each other as partners as effectively.
I respect Mari for his composure at the back as well as the fact that he is one of the most vocal members of the team on the pitch, but I think the experience of David Luiz has been an important part of his smooth start to life at Arsenal.
Mustafi has been effective when paired with Luiz as well and I also think that the Brazilian’s influence has been important.
Mari and Mustafi paired together could work but I just feel that both perform well when they are alongside Luiz and he seems to be the common denominator here.
In conclusion, yes, they would make a good combination but in my opinion, are better off with the experienced Brazilian.
An article from Jacob B
It’s too early to comment on this….
Why can’t we opt of 3 at back?
Mustafi Luiz. Mari
Bellerin Ceballos. Xhaka. Saka
Ozil
Aubameyang. Lacazzete
This will certainly provide steel at the back and Saka can use his attacking instinct and Xhaka don’t need fill his position at the LB so because Mari can cover that hence Midfield will intact with Ceballos and Xhaka…
And Ceballos can Provide good supply ti Ozil and he can provide also good supply to wing backs Saka and Bellerin to stretch the game at times…
And we know Luiz too good with 3 at back system…. he can play sweeper and provide such cutting long balls to either Bellerin or Saka or even Aubameyang at front
Good looking team but I would play Pepé instead of Laca on the left of a front two with Auba.
👍👍 same here.
Mustafi has really made me change my opinion of him. He’s really worked and performed well
A guy like Mustafi is only good at the bench. He is not fast enough for Premier League. He to often comes late into the situations and that’s why he is such an excellent own goal scorer. Asn’l should get rid of all the dead meat. Not recycle the corps. Mustafi is like Xhaka – it’s playing with ten men. He
is for Sweden: AIK or Djurgården.
Robert he is our fastest CB ?
I only tried to find an excuse for his own goal scoring. But if you’re right, if he is the fastest, we are in real trouble. Man City will kill us. Poor senior Arteta. What a homecoming. 4-0? 5-0?
I have watched the new guys that people on this site dream about as the MESSIAH who shall save our defendless souls. I mean, defending is the most important thing in life, in every part of life. Even i football. You are defending your own pride, your own dignity, your own body and soul. But when I see Upamecano I see a big slow guy with a heavy ass who is to slow for PL even he. When I look at Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen, he is not much better. Now they talk about Chris Smalling…. Okej, he was the best of the old Man United def 4, but is he good enough for Asn’l? I don’t think so. And how old is he? I guess +30. Gunners shouldn’t buy other teams trash. It’s humiliating. And John Stones? I like Stones, very much, I really do, but that’s “Satisfaction” and “Honky tonk women”. That’s sir Michael Philip Jagger! Isn’t he a gooner by the way?