Shkodran Mustafi says he’s hoping to prolong his unbeaten start at Arsenal until the end of the season and revealed that when he does suffer defeat he’s not great company.
The Germany international is yet to lose since joining the Gunners from Valencia on 30 August; a run that stretches to 22 games across all competitions, including 15 in the Premier League.
“I hope I can keep that statistic until the end of the season,” Mustafi told Sky Sports ahead of Tuesday night’s game with Watford.
“It’ll be difficult but for me personally but I just go from game to game and try to give the maximum and improve, then the results come.
“When I lose I sometimes just don’t come home and stay at the hotel, because I don’t want to listen to all that. But I’m happier for the other people than me that I haven’t lost yet.
“When I go into a game I’m not thinking about losing, I’m there because I want to win. If I do something I do it properly, I’m a footballer because I want to improve and win games, that’s why I’m sometimes difficult when I lose.”
Three ex-Gunners can better Mustafi’s current unbeaten run; Jeremie Aliadiere (17), Jose Antonio Reyes (22) and Jens Lehmann (47) all made their debuts in 2003/04 going on to enjoy the fruits of Arsenal’s ‘Invincible’ season and a fast start in the following league campaign.
Since losing against Manchester City and Everton in December – both games Mustafi missed with injury – the Gunners have strung together a seven-game unbeaten run to steady the ship. The next big test is table-toppers Chelsea on Saturday afternoon; a game Wenger’s men must win to give their title challenge momentum.
Mustafi insists, however, that the key for Arsenal is to focus on their own results and not the performances of their rivals.
“We are not looking too much at the other teams and what they’re doing,” he added.
“In the end you have to be focused on what you’re doing as a team. We know we have big games coming up and we have to go game after game.
“We know the Premier League isn’t easy, all the teams know how to defend and they can catch and hurt you on the counter-attack. Suddenly then you’re looking at other teams but dropping points as well, so it’s important to look at ourselves and try to take all the points we can.”
Love this guy
And he’s only 24
What the fuck am I doing with my life!
‘The next big test’ is tonight at home vs Watford in respect. Sorry to be pedantic!
The future Shkodran ‘Invincible’ Mustafi
Get in Mustafi! Arsenal 5-0 Watford. COYG!
Funny thing is, despite the excellent record, he still looks a bit dodgy at times and has plenty of room for improvement.
The man has got it all though, intelligence, temperament, skill, strength and tenacity. Should be a mainstay of our defence for years to come!
I heard someone say that he’s the sort of player you put in your defence and then forget about for the next ten years due to his reliability; that pretty much covers it. He looks fantastic, and he seems like a nice fellow as well. Top man!
must ave fins
‘Three ex-Gunners can better Mustafi’s current unbeaten run; Jeremie Aliadiere (17), Jose Antonio Reyes (22) and Jens Lehmann (47).’
Two of them aren’t better than 22 that Mustafi has, is it mis-leading or am I mis-reading?
Presumably it’s just PL games being counted. Either that or they’ve changed how maths works.
I think it’s based on PL games.. Mustafi has 22 in total, 15 PL and 7 non-PL games.
That’s correct. If you count all competitions then Lehmann’s nowhere near 47, because we lost our first match in the CL group stage in 03/04.
What a buy.
Dat buy
Good player.
Great job mustafi
Promising player. Though should try and avoid those unnecessary and dangerous sliding tackles