Arsenal: Shkdoran Mustafi seems to be sealing his own fate

Arsenal have given Shkodran Mustafi so much opportunity, but the evidence continues to stack against him as he seals his own fate.

For as long as Shkodran Mustafi has been at Arsenal, I have believed in what he brought to the table. I’ve believed that, with the right direction, he can be a class defender. Lord knows he has all the physical characteristics to make it work. He’s dominant in every physical category.

But this season, he hasn’t done himself any favors. With Unai Emery in charge, a brand new manager with a brand new perspective, Mustafi hasn’t changed. He is still on the same path, with the same problems and the same everything.

In a back three set-up, Mustafi has his perks. His athleticism is useful, as he can push forward, experiment, and not be left truly exposed, given Sokratis in behind. But when the Greek joined forces with Laurent Koscielny, we saw what a defensive pairing should look like.

Mustafi will never work in a back two. We’ve tried. We’ve tried with Koscielny and with Sokratis, but it will just never work. He isn’t that kind of defender. He’s the kind that requires special concessions, and while I explored the possibility of providing them a couple weeks back, it doesn’t seem practical any more.

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Not when we’ve seen what can be done with just two defenders.

Adding more fuel to the fire, when Sokratis went out against Manchester United, Mustafi came in, and the disparity was so apparent that it was painful. Two quick goals, within two minutes of each other, further established that Mustafi has tremendous limitations as a defender.

He doesn’t handle extra responsibility well and, despite the physical prowess, his mental lapses undo all that he builds up. It’s a situation that doesn’t look like it’s ever going to change. It’s been three years, and what have we seen? Diddly squat.

The thing is, he’s only 26 years old, and surely still has a tremendous value to a team that sees his physical capabilities and thinks that they can do something to sort out the mental problems. I want nothing but the best for the guy, because I think do think he is a quality player and a great presence on the itch, but the best doesn’t look like it’s going to be at the Emirates.

I would love to be proven wrong. But I’ve waited three years to be proven right.