Arsenal: Potential 2017/18 starting XI without Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Rob Holding of Arsenal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrate after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on May 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Rob Holding of Arsenal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrate after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on May 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

Shkodran Mustafi

Playing in a back three, elite athletic ability is required. Shkodran Mustafi has that – he’s played right-back in the past for Germany – an unexpected nasty side and there are no significant weaknesses to his game. Nonetheless, there is obviously room for improvement for the former Everton man. There have been certain occasions where he has had lapses in concentration, the drubbing at the hands of Bayern Munich comes to mind.

I’ve been thoroughly impressed with his strong tackling and his last-ditch interceptions. I thought that he would struggle with aerial duels in the Premier League but I have been proven wrong throughout the season.

With a full season under his belt and the presence of Laurent Koscielny, I expect Mustafi to continue to grow. There is no doubt that his acquisition was good business, and I hope that he is at the heart of the Arsenal defence for years to come.