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Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi Streak Luckier Than Not
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal’s blemish free streak with Shkodran Mustafi continues, but is it possible that the streak is luckier than we think?
Arsenal has now gone 21 games with Shkodran Mustafi in the starting XI and they haven’t lost a single one of those matches. The German’s presence just turns the Gunners unbeatable, or invincible, if I dare invoke that word.
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It’s quite the streak to have and it’s something that everyone should be proud of. I don’t want to take anything away from it. Anytime you have a guy or a pairing that can deliver such consistent results, you stick with it without a second guess.
The only reason why I’m even saying that Mustafi’s streak is luckier than not is because I want to give some credit to Gabriel Paulista.
Say what you will about the two crucial losses against Everton and Manchester City, but I don’t think that Mustafi’s presence would have altered much. In both circumstances, the Gunners looked outmatched and, especially against Everton, the goals were not a result of Gabriel.
In fact, Gabriel did fantastic. As he continues to do. He was thrown into a situation where he had to fill in and he came out unscathed. Excluding a few odd and wholly random criticisms, you can’t point the finger at him.
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You can try to say that Mustafi’s voice would have kept the defense more organized, but set pieces have always plagued the Gunners and when Mesut Ozil skips out on two straight matches, you have a problem.
It’s actually fortunate that Mustafi missed those two matches because I’m sure we are all quite fond of that streak of his and it would have come to an unfortunate end that fateful week.
Again though, let me reinforce that I don’t want to take anything away from the German. He is a tremendous talent and worth every penny. If Granit Xhaka flails and departs before he can become a superstar (which I know will not happen) then this past summer will still be seen as a success solely because of Mustafi.
And now, unlike ever before, the defensive solidity on this club is unmatched. Between Koscielny, Mustafi and Gabriel we have three first-team center backs and Rob Holding could fit right into that mix as well. As will Calum Chambers when he returns.
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Panic buy or not. Lucky or not. Shkodran Mustafi can be a legend here.