Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi lambast must be backed up

Shkodran Mustafi has launched an attack on the media coverage of him and his Arsenal teammates. But his claims must be backed up. They are empty without action.

Arsenal were magnificent against Tottenham Hotspur. Playing in a high-intensity, energetic, pedal-to-the-metal manner, they thrust their foot onto Spurs’ throat and never let up. It was an excellent performance, and it went a long way to dismissing many of the criticisms that members of media, analysts, pundits and fans were beginning to have.

Most significantly, it was the question of commitment that was so emphatically answered. Not only did Arsene Wenger’s side play with quality, but they showed their character. Even players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez worked tirelessly for the victory. That is something that cannot always be said about their respective levels of performance.

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And after the game, Shkodran Mustafi, who returned to the defence with a hearty display as the anchor and organiser, took aim at the media for their apparent inaccuracy in covering him and his teammates regarding their perceived softness of character. This is what he had to say:

"“That’s you guys thinking it. As always – Arsenal is dead. Arsenal is not coming back. It’s always the same. It’s about what the team is thinking and feeling. We keep saying it that we are always alive, we always believe in ourselves, we always try to give everything on the pitch. Obviously, when it comes to games like this you have to show character. We showed a great character, when we had the ball but also when we didn’t have it.”"

Such combativeness in his response is nice to see. The very reason why he feels called to say such things is because the criticism levelled at the squad are, for the most part, true. The Gunners have, and do, take games off. They suffer from peaks and troughs in form and effort. They do not look as though they are always trying their hardest to win.

But these comments, at least in appearance, counter that notion. Just by speaking out, Mustafi is showing the very trait that many have assumed does not exist within him and his teammates. Having said that, words are inherently empty. While they may have meaning and significance to some, without actions that support them, they often carry little weight.

And this is the crux of the issue. Arsenal — the players, the manager, the board, the PR staff — have a way with words. They know how to push the buttons and inspire fleeting and often unfounded hope. Rarely do they ever back that up. This, unfortunately, feels like very much of the same.

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It is a case of believing it when it is seen. Mustafi can spout about the character of the squad, the desire of the player, the defying of the media’s portrayal of their personalities and their want to win. But until they show something different, consistently, it is difficult to believe it. His words need to be backed up.

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