Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi May Not Be Who We First Thought

Shkodran Mustafi was seen as Arsenal’s central defensive saviour earlier in the year. However, recent struggles suggest that he is not who we first thought.

Judging players shortly after they signed is never a wise move. Some settle quickly, showcasing their ability from the moment they pull on their new shirt. Others take longer to forge their starting role. Arsenal have experienced, from both sides of the fence, on numerous occasions.

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Andrey Arshavin was heralded as a hero when signed in the winter of the 2008/09 season. By the end of the year, he was voted the Gunners’ second best player of the season, despite having only been in North London for half the year. Fast forward a little over two years and he was nothing more than a reserve player, vilified for his lethargic style and apparent apathy to the cause.

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The man who was praised as heavily as Arshavin early in his Arsenal career is Shkodran Mustafi. The centre-half was seen as the saviour of a faltering defence and established a formidable partnership with stalwart Laurent Koscielny soon after he signed. However, former centre-half Martin Keown, in his column for the Daily Mail, has stated that the German international still has much to learn and develop:

"“They [Mustafi and Koscielny] have looked good in the main. Mustafi got caught out against Bayern Munich. There’s no shame in being caught out, but it’s fine lines that take you from good to great. People remember the finished article and not the beginning – Mustafi is still at the beginning of his road at Arsenal. He needs to build the determination to ensure it doesn’t happen again. He needs to be more on red alert when he plays.”"

In recent weeks, Mustafi has been exposed a little. He was unable to deal with the second-half absence of Koscielny against Bayern Munich, was caught out of position in the loss to Watford on numerous occasions and was beaten badly for the second goal by Etienne Capoue. Is the centre-half the commanding, dominating, inspiring defender that we first thought or is this recent blip a sign that he is also accustomed to individual error?

The hope is that this is a mere anomaly to what has been an impressive first season at the Emirates. He is still only 24 and has much to learn about the position. As his partner will testify, it takes to time to adapt to first-team football in the Premier League and Mustafi still has time to do so.

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Nonetheless, while he was heavily praised for his excellent start to life in North London, he should not be exempt from criticism for his issues since then. Let’s hope, then, that Mustafi can return to the form of earlier in the season, anchoring what will be a solid foundation for his Arsenal career ahead of him.