We Should Still Include Mustafi by Dan Smith
It’s turned into a good few weeks for Mustafi. Not just has he got his wish and stayed at Arsenal, but in his absence, the notion that everything in the world would be better hasn’t materialised. The German may be too inconsistent and mentally weak for this level, but isn’t that how you would describe David Luiz and Sokratis?
Long term we need a new centre back but while we are working with what we have, he deserves to be considered. It might not suit some agendas, but he wasn’t part of the dreadful defending against Liverpool and Spurs, like some forget he didn’t feature in the Europa League Final.
A Luiz can’t do what he did at Anfield and not expect his manager to be observing in training if there is a better option. At the very least, with the Carabao and Europa League campaigns about to start, he is a body to bring in if you want to rest people. If he were to impress, he deserves to start on merit. I especially would consider him as a right back while we wait for Bellerin to return.
There’s some gooners who have requested he never play for us again, the same who booed him throughout pre-season, who swear at him when he drives past outside the Emirates. That just sums up the modern-day supporter. They want to drive him out of the club like they did with Arsene Wenger, for the sake of views and subscribers. Once they get their way, they will move on and pick on someone else.
That’s the rise in social media, people able to share an opinion with the world within seconds, not having to think if it actually makes any sense. Like it is quite counterproductive to verbally abuse someone trying their best, then questioning why his confidence is so low? Mustafi hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s not his fault we paid the transfer fee we paid or gave him his current salary. He’s not doing anything he’s not entitled to do, if a destination doesn’t suit him and his family, he’s contractually allowed to sit and take the money.
It’s funny how contradictory we are when it comes to players. When it’s a talent we value we expect loyalty, yet if we think your bad at your job it’s okay to boo you and hound you out?
When his name is next read out on matchdays let’s do the right thing, shall we?
Dan Smith