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Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi Screaming Into Unending Void
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal’s title bid is, for all intents and purposes, over. But Shkodran Mustafi doesn’t seem to think so. It’s not like anyone is listening though.
Arsenal’s title bid took a serious dent when they lost to Watford at the start of the week, but dropping 12 points behind following a devastating loss to Chelsea, you have to believe that this season will not be ending in a title.
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We’ve all been here before. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all the pressure lifted off of the Gunners and seeing them perform well for the duration of the season. It’s just something about performing consistently when they really need it that just doesn’t click with Arsene Wenger’s men.
All that being said, someone on the team hasn’t been here before. That man is Shkodran Mustafi, who has had himself a look at the Premier League table and said “we can do this.”
“I think it’s going to be more difficult than it was before but I’m a believer,” he said, via SkySports.
“As long as it’s possible we’re going to fight for it, and in the end we will see and if we’re lucky enough and good enough to go for it or not.”
On one hand, you have to be happy that someone on the team still has hunger to succeed. Maybe this is the mindset that we need. After all, it was just last year that Alexis questioned the hunger of his team mates. Maybe this answer is coming a bit late and at the wrong time, but at least the Chilean has found someone that still wants it.
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On the other hand, Mustafi is just yelling into an unending void. I have trouble believing that his words are going to change anything. Arsenal will go on a solid run to end the season and probably end up in second place, just like last season.
There just isn’t any reason to believe otherwise. We’ve all tried the optimism game, but we always end up back at square one. Mustafi isn’t privy to that constant feeling of disappointment, so I get him trying to come in here and change things. But it’s going to take more than his words to convince anyone.
Not only that, but actions speak louder than words. Actions indicate that the Gunners are out of the title race. Words are not going to counteract that.
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Admirable, Mustafi, but you’ll understand better when you’ve been here a bit longer. Or, maybe things will change. Let’s hope for that.