Apart from the odd cup tie Mustafi is being paid thousands of pounds a week to sit at home, something the average working person can only dream of. Yet the perception that footballers are only motivated by money may have changed, as the defender did a brave interview, talking of his ‘hurt’ and ‘sadness’ over the ‘irrational’ abuse he’s received from his own supporters, which are supposed to be Arsenal fans.
I’m embarrassed to write that…
We used to reserve such behaviour for the likes of Chelsea or West Ham fans. We were the Arsenal, a family who did things the right way. Arsene Wenger was right to warn us we were in danger of losing our values and principles. While in the minority, social media gives that next generation a chance to share their opinion with the world within seconds with zero reproach. That’s why having forced the German out of the team, they have moved on to Xhaka and then will pick on someone else to be the scapegoat. That is why it’s a brave interview
He’s smart enough to know that some only care that he’s not featuring in the League and won’t care about the human aspect. Some gooners though have messaged their support not realising the mental impact this was having and certainly not knowing how far the trolling was going.
Mustafi is not consistent enough for this level, he can accept that opinion as its football related. As a paying customer you have a right to freedom of speech. Only you know truthfully if you go over the edge, talking to someone like you wouldn’t dare to during the rest of the week because you know they can’t say anything back?
I watched the likes of Pascal Cygan and Igor Stephanovs and banter stopped at telling your mates how clumsy they were. It never dawned on me to find a way to verbally taunt them or their family – but that’s how I have been educated.
What’s worse is some Arsenal fans in the summer were arriving at grounds with the planned notion to boo Mustafi. Others laughed at him for the sake of their own agendas such as subscribers and views. Whisper it quietly, have we been that much better without him? He was on the bench when were humiliated in the Europa League Final. Does David Luiz not just as much leave his foot in? Does Sokratis not make just as many mistakes?
Mustafi is not very good at what he does but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be treated this way. Just like if any of us were not performing very well at our work, our boss couldn’t suddenly shout, swear and ridicule you.
The irony is that the same Arsenal fans who don’t support their own players are the same ones who preach loyalty form the likes of Koscielny.
Dan Smith