%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi Verbal Contract Surprisingly Touching
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal has a knack for good-natured players, but still, Shkodran Mustafi’s promise stands out as a surprisingly pleasant gesture.
Arsenal turned up another gem in Shkodran Mustafi. The 24-year old German has been such a boon next to Laurent Koscielny, forming a partnership that gives us the stability in defense that we have been lacking for some time.
Related: Arsenal’s 30 Greatest Players Ever
Even Mertescielny can’t stand up to what Kostafi is and will continue to grow into.
Having that sort of reliability will endear you to the fans like nothing else. It’s a unique situation that he’s in. Whereas Mesut Ozil took some time to gel and earned himself some naysayers, there has been no time for Mustafi to accumulate anything of the sort. He has been fantastic and if you want to disagree than you’re just being nit-picky.
Sorry, not sorry.
As such, Mustafi sort of has this inherent position to be a fan favorite. He’s starting off in Alexis Sanchez territory. And that is something special for a defender that’s still so young.
It looks like Mustafi is taking on this inherent responsibility to the fans rather well and has already acknowledged them directly.
You have to respect the fans a lot,” he told Goal. “They’re not earning the money we are earning and pay to come into the stadium, sometimes away trips, plus transport.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
“It shows you how much they love this club and you have to give them respect for that.
“What I can give them back is trying to give them everything back on the pitch. As long as I work for the club that they love, I’m just going to give everything, so I’m happy with myself and make people happy.”
That isn’t a generic response. Most players out there smile and nod and say “yes, the fans were great” and sure they are mean it and all that, but Mustafi has said more than that. He has entered into a verbal agreement to please the fans.
That’s dicey. But he can pull it off.
It’s one thing to tell Wenger “I will give my all” but to tell millions of fans worldwide that you will always give your all so long as you are at this club? That is bigger than it seems and it is more touching than it seems as well.
Next: Wenger's 15 Most Ridiculous Transfer Rumor Sagas
This isn’t an everyday thing. This isn’t small talk. It’s a pretty swell deal. Keep on rocking out, Mustafi.