Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Spurs: 5 things we learned – Mustafi madness

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates after saving a penalty whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is fouled by Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal resulting in a penalty during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is fouled by Shkodran Mustafi of Arsenal resulting in a penalty during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal FC at Wembley Stadium on March 02, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

2. Mustafi madness continues

Harry Kane was offside. Let me start by saying that. But that does not excuse the idiotic defending of Shkodran Mustafi to bundle into the back of the Spurs’ striker and topple him over in the penalty area. It was a clear cut penalty. Kane did not need asking twice to finish.

And this, sadly, is the norm for the German. In fact, this performance was the ideal definition of what he has been in north London. If you were to overlook his bumbling barge of Kane, then Mustafi actually played very well. Out of position, he was aggressive, composed, consistent and aware. But you cannot view this performance without looking at the key moment, and that is how it has been for Mustafi.

He is a good defender. And he has excellent performances. But he also makes mistakes, time and time again. Those mistakes will catch up to you, and the number of mistakes that Mustafi commits means that they catch up to him rather regularly. The Mustafi madness will continue forevermore. It is time for Arsenal, therefore, to put an end to it.