Arsenal: Hold your head up Shkodran Mustafi

Shkodran Mustafi’s recent interview conveyed just how brutal some fans can be with their criticisms. But in spite of the abuse, the Arsenal defender can hold his head high.

I have a confession. I have been one of the many Arsenal fans who have called for Shkodran Mustafi to be removed from the squad on a near consistent basis over the last couple of seasons. I grew tired of his inept performances and constant mistakes, and so I believed that he should be dropped from the team and eventually sold.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Performances Vs. Results

As a fan, that is my right. I give praise where it is due and criticism where it is needed, and players expect this enthused, sometimes overly zealous reaction to come their way. It is part and parcel of professional sport. However, there is a very big difference between criticism and abuse. And in the case of Mustafi, fans have often strayed over the line.

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This week, Mustafi was interviewed by Der Spiegel. He was asked about the criticism that he has received, including being named the second-worst defender in the world behind only Phil Jones. His responses to the questions were somewhat heartbreaking. Here is Mustafi discussing the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool last season in which he committed several errors:

"“I had been out injured for three weeks but went into the game without a training session because the manager needed me. At half time we were 4-1 down and had made some mistakes and injured myself again. After that, I received an extreme amount of negative comments from Arsenal fans and articles were written in which I was heavily criticised.”"

I will admit, Mustafi is not at the quality to be a defender at a top-level. I certainly don’t think he is good enough to play for Arsenal, a team that is attempting to challenge for the top four and more. But that does not condone or justify fans taking their abuse to the level of where they attack Mustafi on social media and blame him for a defeat even when he has not played.

You have to think what this kind of abuse does to someone’s wellbeing. Mental health, depression and anxiety are very real problems. It is well publicised that footballers have suffered from this, especially given the publicity of their jobs. And when fans lower the tone and make personal attacks, there has to be a breaking point somewhere. They are only human after all.

There have been several examples of the Arsenal fanbase stooping to the level of abuse. They have not only verbally vilified Mustafi on social media, but also reviled and slandered, Granit Xhaka, Xhaka’a wife, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and others. And just because they had a poor game. That is unacceptable.

And this season, Mustafi has played well. Alright, these performances have come against lesser teams in lesser competitions, but he has still performed well. Amidst the abuse and slander, the German is playing his way back into the form. He is still at the club, he is still committed to the team, he is still working hard.

So, in spite of it all, keep your head up, Shkodran Mustafi.