Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi improving with less restrictions

Arsenal’s defense is left high and dry way too often, but Shkodran Mustafi is still managing to get better in this new set-up. Odd, but nice.

Arsenal‘s defensive problems are becoming clearer. It’s not the centerback pairings fault at all. They continually get left high and dry by both their fullbacks and their midfielders and it leaves them playing against attacks from all angles.

Hardly a fair fight. But if anyone is equipped to defend that way, Shkodran Mustafi may we be the guy. And to make it even odder, it seems that he is settling into this exposure more by being allowed to kind of do as he likes.

There were plenty of times against West Ham when Mustafi went marauding forward, like a midfielder himself. With his athleticism and control of the ball, he was able to cause some serious problems with his attacking prowess.

Yet his defense didn’t suffer at all. IN nearly every situation where he was left with runners either over the top of with the through ball, Mustafi was in perfect position to handle it, or to play the striker offside.

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If only Bellerin hadn’t played them onside.

It might be a chain reaction situation, where Mustafi is finding his fortune by not having to worry about as much. It’s similar to what happened with Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman had a lot of difficulty playing a regimented role, where he had to stay in position. When he was given freedom to roam, he managed to do what was wanted of him in his regimented role.

As if he was in a better place mentally to be himself.

It’s still early in the process for Mustafi, but the signs are looking good. He hasn’t been terrific, but he hasn’t been terrible, or exposed. He’s been solid, like a good centerback should be. And the only thing that has changed is his centerback mate and this seemingly new freedom to roam.

That roaming hasn’t been a risk though. Unlike Bellerin or Monreal, who always manage to lose the ball and leave themselves woefully out of position, Mustafi is secure with possession and doesn’t come off as a liability at all.

As with a lot of what’s happening these days at the club, it feels like a whole lot of experimentation, but this is one small experiment that may be working well for the long haul. Getting the best out of Mustafi has been a huge ask since he arrived, but maybe this is one way to do it.