Shkodran Mustafi has hinted there was a lot more going on behind the scenes than we were aware of, saying his move to the Gunners was ‘not the easiest’, but that he’s delighted to have finally made the switch.
The 24 year old becomes the most expensive defensive signing in the club’s history after a deal with Valencia worth up to £35m.
The negotiations ran on for weeks between the two clubs, at one stage Valencia insisted he was not for sale, but in the end Arsene Wenger got his man.
Asked why the Arsenal move attracted him, he said, “Really it was the interest. When a club comes in and shows interest, and it’s a club like Arsenal, that makes you feel special.
“When I heard of the interest and I saw people trying to get me here – and the situation wasn’t the easiest one – but when you see that people really want to get you here, it gives the feeling that you’re really wanted. That’s why I’m here right now.”
And he spoke about how fans get anxious when players are linked but nothing seems to be happening.
“I know that for people who watch football and live football, waiting for new signings isn’t easy sometimes,” he said.
“All the signings know there are a lot of things going on in the transfer, so you have to make sure you do everything good to have a good start. That’s what we did. We tried to take our time, do everything the best way you can do it and then start this episode here correctly.”
Mustafi will join international teammate Mesut Ozil, and former teammate Per Mertesacker in North London. Let’s hope we see plenty of celebratory dancing, the man has some moves.
And our tradition of non playing captain continue….
What should be our cb placing like when mertesacker and Gabriel return?
Mert is not back until November earliest.
Kos and Mustafi, better than Gabriel. Holding is next in line for me. When Kos needs a break.
Per/Rob on the bench, Gabriel sold in January.
I’ve still got faith that Gabriel might come good.. Remember how raw Kosh was at 25?!
Gabriel looked good pretty much from when he joined right up until that Diego Costa incident.
He’s a very good tackler but my issue with him is that his marking and general awareness of where opposition players are in our box is something he really needs to sort out.
Totally agree regarding a wait-and-see approach to evaluating Gabriel as well as the the value of comparing him to Kos in his early years at the club, when the latter really struggled to solidify his place. In the modern football world, we are very quick to judge, going over the top either positively or negatively. Gabriel has had a fitful Arsenal career in part because every time he looked ready to ascend and take his opportunity, he got injured or in the case of the evil Costa incident, was suspended. I would also go as far with the Kos comparison… Read more »
Mertasacker is getting old. Gabriel on the other hand is 25, with a lot of room to improve.
With Holding still being very young, I don’t think selling Gabriel would be that good an idea. It would be too soon to jump to that conclusion.
My guess is, Mertasacker is leaving at the end of this season. I guess he is in his final year of his contract as well. So anyway.
Totally agree on Gabriel front
Probably this is the last season for Per, because of his age.
Kos
Mustafi
Per
Holding/Gabriel
We have a dancing captain. Good enough for me.
(And Kos is a good back-up captain.)
I can see Mertesacker as back up of Kos + Mustafi pair of cb’s. We needed this upgrade even before his injury.
merts arsenal adventure is winding down. he will be a bit part player until his contract runs down/he moves on.
That video…
Me at every Christmas party ever
So happy we got him! Literally the most important signing we have made this year as now we can have a strong partner for Kos with Per and Rob as the back up. Plus alongside Hector and Nacho, we really should be much more solid at the back now!!
You mention Per and Rob as backups – are you with me in thinking that this transfer has finished Gabriel’s Arsenal career?
No way, it just gives him competition and more room to develop without much counter productive pressure.
Mert & Kos are both getting on, so I’d expect they’ll be getting progressively phased out over the next couple of years (if their contracts are extended).
I’m still hoping to see Gabriel step up. Age wise it gives a a fantastic set-up.
Kos/Per at 30 / 31
Mustafi/Gabriel at 24 / 25
Holding/Chambers 20/21
Absolutely spot on!
Personally, Gabriel hasn’t impressed me yet, can’t really think of a game where he played well, usually a 6.5 out of 10 for me. Plus, if Chambers does well at Boro this season and we get rid of Per at the end of season (last year of his contract) then we might see Gabriel go aswell. To be fair, I’m just glad we now have two many CBs, after the last couple of years of sticking our RB and LBs in there!
Why is everyone saying Gabriel is finished? He has taken time to adjust as there as been a big language barrier. He has raw defensive ability and is the type of rough player I love, willing to get stuck in, a bit of aggression. It is an aspect to our game as a team we have been missing for a good few years. I would rather see Per Mertesacker moved on before Gabriel.
Absolutely correct!
Glad the transfer saga with him is over now.
Hope he settles in quickly. I only want us to finish one place higher this season. Is that too much to ask? COYG!
one place higher this season than last season is the cheapest request…And it shall be done.
bromance
what more can we ask for.
Allez Le Rouges
This time we win
Gives Gabriel plenty of time to learn English.
Video left me in stitches!. safe to say both should just stick to their day jobs……dancing is definitely a no no!…lol
Per reminds me of a dancing peter crouch. although he is probably a bit more graceful, to be honest.
Yup. Note how impressed the women in the room are!
(nice piece of furniture in the shape of the world cup tho’)
There’s a good video put up by Robbie at Arsenal fan TV where he interviews a top agent regarding transfers recently. Several things mentioned : 1) We did the Granit deal early and the agent believes he could be one of the deals of the summer and a very good signing for us. 2) He also mentioned Holding as potentially one of those Arsene back pocket signings which could turn out to be another steal. (when you consider 47m for Stones) 3) Mentioned that we could have got Mustafi 8 weeks earlier for 28m quid. But process at the club… Read more »