Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi needs Sokratis injury just as much

Arsenal’s defense has been missing Sokratis due to injury, and he may have been re-injured. But Rob Holding isn’t the only person benefitting from this.

Anytime there is an injury at Arsenal, I immediately start looking for the positives – who benefits, who can step up, who will be able to assume a larger share of the workload to help compensate for the absence – that kind of stuff.

With the Sokratis injury, there isn’t a lot of questioning needed. We know who benefits the most – it’s Rob Holding. Holding was the third wheel to the Sokratis/Shkodran Mustafi partnership and without that injury, it was going to take one hell of a fall from grace from either of those guys for Holding to get into the picture.

But now that he’s in the picture, things are changing. Holding has actually been remarkably steady and reliable, so much so that, with the return of Sokratis (prior to the international injury), I was curious if it would be Holding that made way.

Now that Sokratis is hurt again – and we assume that he is out, without knowing for sure – Holding stands to benefit again with more game time than he would have found otherwise.

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That said, given the questions regarding who would make way for the return of the sentinel Sokratis, I reckon that Mustafi has just as much to gain from another pressure-free match or two as Holding.

I have been quick to support Mustafi, if not just for the potential that he still has, but also for the clear ability that he showcases. Unai Emery likes high-energy, pacey defenders, and Mustafi fits that billing perfectly. You won’t find many centerbacks with the speed and pace of Mustafi without sacrificing the physical side of the game, including aerial ability.

But the mistakes just won’t go away. And while Mustafi has been majority good this year, he has had plenty of the same issues that have populated his early career at the Emirates. And so long as that is the case, he won’t find the same security that he found with Arsene Wenger. Unai Emery has showcased a quick hook, especially in favor of youth, and if the time comes to swap Holding in for Mustafi, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen.

But, for now, Mustafi has his chance to solidify himself, and he absolutely needs it. Now hopefully he can take it.