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Arsenal vs Liverpool: Shkodran Mustafi statement needed
By Josh Sippie
Shkodran Mustafi is suddenly and far-too-heavily tied to a shocking Arsenal exit, so a nice statement, either verbal or not, is needed against Liverpool.
I have been combating this utterly ridiculous rumor of a Shkodran Mustafi exit with all the sense I can muster, but the rumor persists. With Arsenal set to take on Liverpool in a match that will require the utmost from our defense, can we rely on a statement selection from Arsene Wenger?
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We all know how it goes. When a player is left out of the starting XI so close to deadline day, it usually means that the exit is sealed. It hasn’t been a concern recently for the Gunners, as exits have been far from catastrophic, but this time around, both Mustafi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may have their futures rapped up by the time the match rolls around.
Seeing Mustafi in the starting XI is the statement we need. That little bit of reassurance that Wenger wouldn’t sell the German after such a stellar first season and with so many other questions along the defensive line.
Gabriel Paulista is already gone. Rob Holding is in shambles. Calum Chamber and Per Mertesacker seem to be out of sight and out of mind. Selling Mustafi would certainly indicate a move coming the other way, but as I mentioned earlier in the week, why does it have to come to that?
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Wenger was fairly conclusive with his statement regarding a potential Mustafi exit, but the German himself has been silent and it certainly wouldn’t heard for a bit of a pro-Gunner tweet, like he is so keen on doing.
With Virgil van Dijk heavily linked to Arsenal, it is assumed that he will be the Mustafi replacement, should this bizarre turn of events actually happen, but it seems so completely unnecessary. You’ve already sold Gabriel, what use is there in selling your second best defender when you have a back three that needs more than four centerbacks to man it.
And for God’s sake, Sead Kolasinac is not a center back.
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Mustafi has to be out there against Liverpool. It might not be 100% conclusive that he won’t leave just because he’s out there, but it’s a step in the right direction. The more it looks to be business as usual, the more belief there will be that such a colossal mistake isn’t about to be made.