Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi Has Mounted The General’s Horse

Arsenal has a new sheriff in town, and his name is Shkodran Mustafi. Has there ever been such a ‘hit-the-ground-running’ leader?

It is not easy coming into a team like Arsenal and finding consistent playing time. Arsene Wenger has a tight regime and any newcomer has to earn his stripes before he can be trusted with this previous team. Risks are kept to a minimum, consistency is key and internal competition is fun most of the time.

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Had you asked me in the summer how likely it would be that someone Wenger purchased would slide seamlessly into the starting XI, anchor this defense, prove he is world class and mount the General’s horse that has been vacant since Vieira, I would have said ‘hm, not likely’.

That is essentially what Shkodran Mustafi has done, however. All of the leadership that Arsenal has been lacking, whether what was lacking at the time was on or off the pitch, is answered with Mustafi.

Not in quite some time have we seen such a vocal leader on the pitch. He is a commander out there, controlling his troops. In his play, he exudes confidence and fearlessness. He is, to say it again, the complete leader that Arsenal has been lacking.

Off the pitch, his words have a similar effect. His words at the microphone sound like that of a general. Anyone can get up there and say “we did good, not let’s focus on next match.” Anyone can. Even Manuel Almunia can do that.

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But to say so much more than that while backing it up with your play on the pitch? That’s unheard of.

Check out this interview with Mustafi. Normally I’d pick a cornerstone quote from it and showcase how wonderful he is, but the entire thing was so amazing, every word was carefully chose, that to pick any piece of it would be disrespectful to what he said in total.

I don’t see any drawbacks to the price that was paid for the German. He roughed up Diego Costa and made the man look as worthless as a Flintstones vitamin. He has rarely looked like he needed to acclimate and it’s clear that he is the sheriff in town.

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All I wanted to do was reemphasize how wonderful this guy is. I hope that everyone shares this point of view. If not, why not? I would actually be curious to hear why you don’t like Mustafi, if in fact you don’t.