Arsene Wenger says Shkodran Mustafi has the potential to be a ‘great’ defender for Arsenal, and that he’s been impressed by how quickly the £35m signing from Valencia has imposed himself on the team.
Despite being a new boy, and having played only a handful of games, the German’s natural qualities have come to the fore as he looks to be forming a very promising partnership with Laurent Koscielny.
He’s not shy about making himself heard, on and off the pitch, as Wenger reveals.
“He is vocal in the dressing room,” he said. “Mustafi is a player who is highly focused. On that front he is a typical German. He wants to do the job well every day and he speaks his mind. He is vocal in the dressing room.
“He is not a quiet guy who hides. He speaks out with his opinion and communicates a lot. Even when you isolate the pictures of the game and look at that he speaks a lot during the game.”
Asked if he might become a central defensive great, there was an understandable note of caution, but the Arsenal manager is hopeful.
“He has the potential, which is interesting at the moment,” he said. “It it is a bit too early to say, you have to be cautious when a guy has played only three or four games.
“What makes me positive is he is focused, has the desire to do well, and is 24 years old. So for a central defender that is quite young. Let’s see how he survives in games like Sunday against Burnley, where it is a case of ‘Can I head the ball? Can I win the second ball?’
“I would say I have a positive feeling.”
Let’s hope he can continue that fine start to his Arsenal career at Turf Moor today.
Absolutely!!
Finally, we have someone who can take over the vocals since Flam
very excited seeing this guy at the back. love the way he attacks the ball. and he can pass the ball into attacking areas as well.
hope he improves game to game. and stays fit to help us this season.
I can’t believe he is only 24……
Definitely is growing with every game and even special praise from Per!
It’s funny how when Phil Neville was asked about Mustafi a few weeks back, he was quite adamant that he wasn’t a leader, quiet and requires a authorative CB partner so very interesting to read he is a leader from AW.
Not that any off us care about the even lesser talented brother, Phil!
He probably bit his tongue in the dressing room. Can you imagine having to listen to Phil Neville telling you how to defend in fucked up Spanish?
You’d either have to zone out or scream.
He’s gonna be rock for us in the coming years. Such a good signing by Arsene. Really hope ‘Kostafi’ dominates the league for years to come.
I was really impressed by him during the Basle game. Not only does he have the strength and pace to be able to deal with his defensive duties on the back foot, he’s also hugely impressive at pressuring on the halfway line and then has great passing ability to release the midfield/attack. We all know Kos has been a master interceptor for years so to have two really enhances that part of our game. I think this has been key in building the cascade of pace and possession going forward in recent games, it means defence gets switched into attack… Read more »
I feel like nobody noticed the through pass he gave Ozil against Basel.Good all-round footballer.
Not that money spent should indicate how talented a player is or how well they settle into a team but we shelled out big bucks for a World Cup winning German international who still has his best years ahead of him. He’s settled down quite well after a shaky first game but just imagine the solidity and stability he will continue to provide over the next decade, fantastic buy.
Money well spent
Typical German. I like Germans. I really do.
Thank you. I like you too 😀
I like me kale gunner girls. Unrene chebet ?
He’s been excellent, a cracking signing and I just wish we got him in time for that Liverpool game. People have always said that we’re 2-3 players away from the title and that we need a stronger spine. Between Xhaka, Mustafi and Perez we might have those 2-3 players. The first two have been absoluely class so far and Perez is only being kept out by the form of Sanchez and Walcott
A terrific addition imo.
What will happen to BFG??? I like him
“Let’s see how he survives in games like Sunday against Burnley, where it is a case of ‘Can I head the ball? Can I win the second ball?’”
Hahahaha! Wegner inadvertently throwing shade at Burnley.
Flamini’s gone so someone has to issue instructions do a bit of pointing and fighting. Mustafi has been yet another Excellent panic buy by Wenger. We stuck to negotiating with him because it would not make any sense to abandon and go for a second choice. But much of it was out of our hands (timing-wise) BC Valencia was fishing for better deals. That we managed to hold on and conclude with him (instead of say a David Luiz) should show you that Arsenal are better in the market than many deem to understand (or care to) Wenger has made… Read more »
Burnley sorted, took an elbow, imo test passed. 🙂
Seems the #20 is for the vocal guys…. Flamini and now Mustafi