Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi With Expected Admission Reveals Weakness

Shkodran Mustafi has admitted that public criticism has affected the dressing room. Such comments are not particularly surprising but do show Arsenal’s key weakness.

Entering the season, many Arsenal fans had hopes that this could be the season in which their ever-elusive 12-year Premier League drought could finally end. Now, after a run in which they’ve won just two of their last seven league games, including Wednesday night’s dismantling of West Ham, they are struggling to hang onto coattails of the top four.

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It has been a thoroughly disappointing second half to the season, one which culminated in the two 5-1 losses to Bayern Munich as they exited the Champions League at the round of last 16 one more.

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Their issues have led many to severely criticise the squad, exposing underperforming individuals and questioning Arsene Wenger’s management ability. The vociferous reaction of the fans and the media is sure to have an effect on the squad, one that Shkodran Mustafi revealed earlier in the week. When asked about the morale in the dressing room amid the intense scrutiny, Mustafi stated that it is difficult to deal with but that he and his teammates are professionals and that it is a part of the job:

"“It is difficult, but we are professionals. We are not only paid for playing football but to be professional as well. It’s part of our job to have a little bit thicker skin. But in the days that we live in now, it is difficult because you see it everywhere, on TV, then you have social media where you see a lot of things. We’re professionals and we get paid for that as well, to be professional on that part as well, not only on the pitch. That’s we have to do – be professionals.”"

Such comments are extremely revealing and they do expose one of Arsenal’s key weaknesses. For many years, their character, their resilience and their winning mentality have been questioned by many media members. The lack of leaders in the dressing room is a major issue that is yet to be addressed and Mustafi’s answer simply goes to reinforce those prevalent doubts.

With Wenger’s position growing increasingly untenable with his squad continually displaying the same shortcomings each and every season that hold them back from ever achieving the success that the fanbase yearns, Mustafi’s admission does not come as a surprise.

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It is a weakness that has been prominent for many, many years, one that Wenger and the club need to address. If they are unable to cultivate a winning mentality at the club, then no matter how much talent the squad may boast, success will never be found.